The Difference Between Technology and Technique

This week, we answer a question from Kaia from China.

Question:

Could you tell me the differences between technology and technique? And how do we use them in our daily life?

Thank you.

Answer:

Dear Kaia,

Thank you for your question. The words "technology" and "technique" are different. But they both come from a Greek¹ word meaning the study of an art or craft². Words starting with tech- and techno-, describe a skill, art or way of doing things.

Technique

"Technique" is a way of doing a specific³ activity.

For example, if you study the guitar, you can learn techniques for playing different kinds of music. If you like cooking, you can learn techniques for making foods from around the world. Here is an example:

The soccer players train every day to improve their technique.

Technology

"Technology" is the use of scientific knowledge and methods.

Technology makes jobs easier by improving machines and tools. For example:

A camera is now easier to use because of digital⁴ technology.

Using technique and technology

You can use numerous⁵ techniques to use the same technology. Here are two examples:

My technique for taking better pictures is to take more pictures of friends for fun.

Nabila knows how to use camera technology to take better pictures of her friends.

A telephone is a kind of technology that has changed over time. Techniques for using telephones have also changed.

Over 140 years ago, the phone was a new technology for people to communicate.

Now, people use new techniques like texting and messaging to communicate over the phone.

And that is Ask a Teacher.

I'm Armen Kassabian.

Armen Kasabian wrote this story for VOA Learning⁶ English. Hai Do was the editor.

What is your favorite technology and why? What techniques do you use with that technology? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

Words in This Story

guitar – n. a musical instrument with six strings that is played with fingers or a pick

1 Greek   

adj.希腊(人)的，希腊语的；n.希腊人；希腊语

参考例句：

• The Greek seaman went to the hospital five times.这位希腊海员到该医院去过五次。
• Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet.δ是希腊字母中的第四个字母。

2 craft   

n.工艺，手艺；小船，飞机；行业；诡计

参考例句：

• The harbour was full of pleasure craft.港口满是游艇。
• He's a master of his craft.他有一手好手艺。

3 specific   

adj.明确的；具体的；特定的

参考例句：

• The money is to be used for specific purposes.这笔钱有专门用途。
• We haven't fixed a specific date for our meeting.我们会议的具体日期还没有定下来。

4 digital   

n.数字，数字式；adj.数位的，数字的

参考例句：

• There's a digital watch on the table.桌子上有一块数字式手表。
• The signal will be converted into digital code.信号会被转变为数字代码。

5 numerous   

adj.为数众多的；极多的

参考例句：

• There have been numerous exchanges of views between the two governments.两国政府间曾多次交换意见。
• There are numerous people in the square. 有许多人在广场上。

6 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。