The Islamic University of Gaza- Civil Engineering Department

Technical English (ENGG 1305)

Unit 1. Technology in Use

By

Husam Al-Najar
Outline of the unit

 Describing technical functions and applications

 Explaining how technology works
 Emphasizing technical advantages
 Simplifying and illustrating technical explanations

Introduction
Branches of Engineering at IUG
Architectural Engineering- Civil Engineering- Computer Engineering- Electrical Engineering
Environmental Engineering- Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering

Discussion
 What field of engineering would you like to go into?
 How would you describe your branch of engineering to a non-specialist?
 What kind of work would you like to do within your field?
 In what kinds of situations do you need to use English at work?
1. Describing technical functions and application:
What do you know about the origins of (Global Positioning System) GPS?

The system was originally developed for military use in the United States before being made
available for civilian use internationally, with some limitations on its precision.
Paula, a design engineer for a GPS manufacturer, is discussing product development with José, a
senior manager new to the company. Listen to the conversation

Paula: Obviously navigation is the primary application of most GPS devices.

José: Sure.
Paula: Then you've got associated applications ‫ا‬.‫ه‬...‫ة ب‬.‫لمرتب‬..‫بيقاتا‬.‫لتط‬..‫ا‬, uses that are related to navigating, such
as tracking systems you can use for monitoring delivery vehicles and finding stolen cars, that kind of
thing.
José: Mm.
Paula: And then there are more creative features ‫عية‬.‫بدا‬.‫ت‬. ‫ميزا ا‬. A good example would be on a boat GPS, you
get drift alarms‫ف‬.‫النحرا‬..‫نذار ا‬.‫ا‬. So if the anchor starts to drag and the boat starts moving, there's a setting on
the GPS that allows it to detect the movement and an alarm sounds to warn you, and prevents the boat
from drifting unnoticed.
José: I see.
Paula:Or another example on boat systems is man overboard buttons. So if you're sailing along and some
one falls into the sea, you hit a button, which logs the position and ensures that you don't lose track of
where you were, which then enables you to turn round and come back to the same point and find the
person.
José: Right.
Paula: So, these are the kinds of applications we want to develop, more specialised, and more creative.
José: So, effectively you're not talking about technical innovations ‫لتقنية‬..‫تا‬.‫البتكارا‬..‫ا‬. What you're really
looking for is innovative ways of actually using the technology.
Paula: Precisely. Because these days, from the end-users point of view, accuracy is no longer the main
selling point. Most devices are accurate enough. The key is to make them more useful. So in terms of
development ‫لتطوير‬..‫لا‬..‫يمجا‬...‫ ف‬that's the kind of ...
Exercise 2.a: Complete the following notes

• The primary application of GPS navigation

• Associated applications:

Tracking systems for (monitoring) delivery vehicles

Tracking systems for (finding) stolen cars

• More creative features:

drift alarm

man overboard button

• Not technical innovations

innovative uses of the technology

 used for -ing used to useful for another / a similar use

Exercise 2.b: Complete the following extracts from the discussion with words that come from use.

1 Then you've got associated applications, uses that are related to navigating...

2 ... tracking systems you can use for monitoring delivery vehicles ...

3 .... from the end user’s point of view, accuracy is no longer the main selling point. Most devices are

accurate enough. The key is to make them more useful

Exercise 3.a: Match the GPS applications (1-6) to the descriptions (a-f).
Exercise 4.c: Complete the following extract from the user's manual of a GPS device using
the verbs (allows- prevents- enables- ensures)

The core function of your GPS receiver is to allow/enable you to locate your precise geographical

position. To allow/enable the device to function, it receives at least three signals simultaneously

from the GPS constellation- 30 dedicated ‫ مخصصة‬satellites which ensure receivers can function

anywhere on earth. To allow/enable extremely precise positioning and prevent errors from

occurring due to external factors, this device is designed to receive four separate signals.
2. Explaining how technology works
Space Elevator preparing for takeoff
In his 1979 novel ‫ية‬.‫ روا‬, the Fountains of Paradise, Arthur C Clarke wrote about an elevator connecting
the earth's surface to space. Three decades‫ عقود‬later, this sciencefiction ‫لعلمي‬..‫لا‬..‫لخيا‬..‫ا‬concept is preparing to
take off in the real world. NASA has launched the Space Elevator Challenge, a competition with a
generous prize fund, and several teams and companies are working on serious research projects aimed at
winning it. As its name suggests, a space elevator is designed to raise things into space. Satellites
components for space ships, supplies for a stronautst in space stations, and even astronauts themselves are
examples of payloads‫ حموالت‬that could be transported into orbit ‫مدار‬without the need for explosive and
environmentally friendly rockets. However the altitude of orbitals pace - a colossal 35,790 km above the
earth - is a measure of the challenge facing engineers. How could such a height be reached? The answer is
by using an incredibly strong and light weigh cable strong enough to support its own weight and a heavy
load. The design of such a cable is still largely theoretical. This would be attached to a base station on
earth at one end and a satellite in geostationary orbit (fixed above a point on the equator) at the other. Lift
vehicles would then ascend and descend the cable, powered by electromagnetic force and controlled
remotely.
Exercise 6. c: Match the verbs (l -9) from the text to the definitions (a-i).
3. Emphasising technical advantages
OTIS unique flat belt
At the heart of the Gen2TM elevator system is a flat belt (developed by and unique to Otis). It is just 3 mm
thick. Yet it is stronger than conventional steel cables. It lasts up to three times longer. And it has enabled
Otis to completely re-invent the elevator the flat, coated-steel belt totally eliminates the metal- to- metal
effect of conventional systems. Coupled with a smooth-surface crowned machine sheave, the results
exceptionaqlly quiet operation and superior ride comfort. Furthermore, the flexible flat belt enables a
more compact energy- efficient machine, which can be contained in the hoistway. This enhanced
technology reduces building and system operating costs, and frees up valuable space.
Exercise 11.b. Match the words (l -6) to the synonyms (a-f)
Exercise 12.a. Complete the following tips on emphasising technical advantages using the words in
the box.

Conventional eliminated enhanced reduced superior

When describing technical advantages, it 's useful to emphasise

enhanced

reduced
eliminated
Conventional

superior

Exercise 12.d. Mach the words to the synonyms

entirely totally
considerably dramatically
exceptionally highly
4. Simplifying and illustrating technical explanations
Richard: If you're talking to non-specialists, and you start using jargon, then to your audience, it's just
going to sound like nonsense. That's one problem. Another relates not so much to language, but to the
complexity of the technology you're talking about. Even if you use everyday language, the engineering
concept itself might still be difficult to explain. And that can make the subject very heavy going, and
quite dull, which is obviously not what you want. However, I think it's important not to oversimplify
things. There's nothing worse than being spoken to as if you're a child. You don't want to sound
patronising.
Exercise 14. a.:
1. What does Richard say about explaining technical concepts? That you shouldn’t use jargon or it will
sound like nonsense and that technical concepts can be difficult to explain, even using everyday
language.
2. What does he mean by dull explanations? Explanation that are boring
3. What is being patronising? Speaking to an adult as if you’re talking to a child