Re: [CE-L] Usage: Changing a tire or changing a wheel

[Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>]

As far as I can tell, this response on techwr-l was to a post on ce-l. 
While the OP may not be a part of this list, the discussion is still 
interesting in that it raises regional and international issues.

Any writer writing for a specific region should account for the 
readership, rather than personal preference. Editors sometimes must 
naturalize the writing of a document prepared by international writers. 
I once edited a large document with writers from seven countries. I 
learned about international writing styles.

In the this discussion, changing a wheel when the "tyre" goes flat in 
the U.S. is to change the tire. Yes, the wheel is being changed but the 
reason for the changing is the tire because a fresh tire needs to be on 
the vehicle and not a fresh wheel.

As far as "chatty" goes, I have noticed a chatty style in British 
writing. Usually, I see this when I looking for a recipe online. While 
Americans tend to write lengthy and pointless essays about why they 
chose a recipe, the recipes are usually brief. British recipes sometimes 
have a lot of chit-chat in the recipe directions with imprecise 
instructions.

Sometimes a narrative is helpful to make something foreign become 
familiar, other times narrative is distracting and tiring to the reader. 
Writing that is too dry can get alienating or seem vague if the subject 
matter is too foreign.

All things should be considered but the needs of the audience need to 
control the writing style. Perhaps a set of writing guidelines would 
help. Guidelines could emphasize the importance of writing for an 
American audience and avoiding excessive narratives and discussion. Not 
that your English author will follow them but the guidelines will give 
you something to reference when discussing issues like how to write 
changing a wheel when the "tyre" is flat.

On 6/20/2018 6:52 AM, Chris Morton wrote: