Re: Untranslated notes (was: Poll by Email No. 7)

 --- Christophe wrote:

> That's where I disagree. Your audience may be small, but that's no use making
> it smaller by assuming they know other things that their education gave.
Oh, I was just playing advocate for the devil. I agree, that a text should be
readable for anyone who is not completely innocent in the field of the subject,
and that this applies to quotes as well.
But you must draw the line somewhere. A text should not be more complicated than
is necessary (which, unfortunately is often the case, I'm afraid); but it is my
experience in writing scientific texts, that you cannot explain every uncommon
word you use. You must be free to use the word "article" without having to give
an explanation like "words like 'the' and 'a'". Otherwise you'll get nowhere.
Besides, if someone really doesn't know, he can always reach for a dictionary or
encyclopaedia.

> Well, now I understand why my Dutch collegues never read scientific articles in
> Dutch. Among them, only one understands scientific German, and no one
> understands French, and even less scientific French (which is quite different
> from scientific Dutch).
Now you exagerate! Everyone in this country, especially those with higher
education, have had English, German and French in school. Maybe they are no fluent
speakers, but they can at least understand two written sentences in it!
On the other hand: I remember, that long ago I heard a law student, who had to
read some books in English, complaining, that he was a student of LAW and not of
ENGLISH!

> Expecting too much of your audience is an even bigger lack of respect than
> expecting too little. It sets the tone on who you think should be allowed to
> read what you want to write... I know it may not be meant like that, but that's
> what it does.
Yeah! But it is sometimes difficult to judge if something is too much or not.

> As a short, and to come back to the Conlang Journal (I wait until the result of
> the poll and then I'll post again about it), write your article in any language
> you want, quote in any language you want, even in conlangs, but translate
> everything then in English.
Agreed. In this case the abilities of the audience are quite clear! Many languages
are represented, but only one is really common.

Groeten,
Jan

=====
"You know, I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought,
wouldn't it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that
happen to us come because we actually deserve them? So, now I take great
comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe." --- J.
Michael Straczynski

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