atw: FW: Looks good, but ....

Michael Lewis:

> people=20
> often finish up writing as a reflection of self image rather than as a =
way of=20
> transmitting ideas.

Though I've never thought of it that way, this is very true. But then, =
so is spoken language, even when it's supposedly formal. Then you need =
to consider the difference between spoken language when you can see the =
speaker's body language and when you can't - it all boils down to =
expressing your identity in the end, I suppose. Even in tech writing =
writers have preferences for the ways in which they express themselves =
(and hence ideas).


> Do you tend to write French in an English-y sort of way, or vice =
versa?

I anglicise, unless I have learned that particular form (I can often =
make a good guess) - I have no other terms of reference. What is =
interesting to me now is that I am starting to learn Spanish, which is =
similar to French in that they are both Latin languages, but also =
different in ways that sometimes trip me up, for example if a word is =
spelled the same as a French word I tend to expect it to be the French =
word, because I know it's not English...

And this brings me to Robert Kloiber's point about localising to Latin =
American Spanish in translation. The French are quite anal about the =
language not changing, so when you learn French it's most likely to be =
Standard French, and you can learn about regional dialects with further =
study - ie you have to deliberatly set out to learn it. My Spanish notes =
are all covered with "used in only in Spain" or "only in South America", =
or "you can also spell it this way in Argentina". Which is a completely =
approach to that of the French. And should keep me on my toes if I =
choose to go further than evening classes.


**************************************************
To post a message to austechwriter, send the message to 
austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To subscribe to austechwriter, send a message to 
austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject field.

To unsubscribe, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 
"unsubscribe" in the Subject field.

To search the austechwriter archives, go to 
www.freelists.org/archives/austechwriter

To contact the list administrator, send a message to 
austechwriter-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
**************************************************

Other related posts: