Anthropomorphism
Don't attribute human qualities to software or hardware.
Anthropomorphism is a category of figurative language, which is less precise and is often harder
to understand and translate than direct language. For more information, see
Write for a global audience.
Recommended: A Delimiter object specifies
where to split a string.
Not recommended: A Delimiter object tells
the splitter where a string should be broken.
Recommended: The PC detects a new
device.
Not recommended: The PC sees a new
device.
Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License. For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies. Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.
Last updated 2024-10-15 UTC.
[null,null,["Last updated 2024-10-15 UTC."],[[["Avoid using anthropomorphism when describing software or hardware functionality as it reduces clarity and can hinder translation."],["Prioritize direct and precise language over figurative language for better understanding across audiences."],["Instead of attributing human actions to technology, focus on describing the technical process or function itself."],["Using clear and objective language ensures technical documentation remains accessible and easily translatable for a global audience."]]],["The provided text advises against anthropomorphism in technical writing. It highlights the importance of using direct, precise language to ensure clarity and ease of translation. Instead of attributing human-like actions to software or hardware, such as \"telling\" or \"seeing,\" use actions that accurately describe their functions. Examples include using \"specifies\" instead of \"tells,\" and \"detects\" instead of \"sees,\" emphasizing objective descriptions of functionality.\n"]]