Such practical skills require knowledge of cultural models and ways to identify cultural bias. A theoretical program should include cultural anthropology basics and cross-cultural communication theory and practice. Online information for international use requires an understanding of non-intuitive technical issues. For example, technical communicators today need to ensure that character sets, fonts, and software products are available for the target languages across computing platforms and that navigation buttons address different text orientations as in Arabic, which is read from right to left. International graphics and icons are also a concern.
Multimedia objects like voice audio introduces cultural issues requiring some research.
A theoretical program exploring semiotics, popular and traditional culture, and their applications in technology across national borders to a target audience might prove quite useful here. Few people in most businesses are aware of how to do this at all, let alone thoroughly. Large companies with the money to be active in standards committees are typically the only ones with this know-how, and yet it is an important skill. Technical communicators need to know how to assess the quality of translated and customized information products. They must also know how to document this information in the event of a quality audit by a third party or a law suit.