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Re: Writing for translation: since/because, over/more than
Subject:Re: Writing for translation: since/because, over/more than From:Kate Schneider <kateschneider42 -at- gmail -dot- com> To:Geoff Mann <geoff -dot- mann -at- uxwordsense -dot- com> Date:Sat, 23 Nov 2019 11:27:39 -0700
Even when I'm not writing for translation, I don't use "since" or "over"
like this because it bothers me. I especially don't do this when writing
for translation, because it can be confusing. I would certainly establish a
guideline here.
I would also make a point to ask the translator how they handle words with
multiple translations are not in your guidelines. Would they ask for a
preferred translation during their question period? Or would they let their
translation team make a judgment call? I've had translators do this without
consulting me...and that was a real problem that resulted in wildly
different (and often incorrect) translations for the same word across my
project. Yikes.
Kate
On Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 9:58 AM Geoff Mann <geoff -dot- mann -at- uxwordsense -dot- com> wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> For those who have experience writing for translation...
>
> An obvious best practice is to avoid using the same word to mean two
> different things. I'm of the (old?) school that says terms like since and
> because are not interchangeable. The same goes for over and more than.
> However, since and over are becoming ubiquitous in mainstream content.
> Even the AP relatively recently adopted since for cause & effect in its
> style guide. I'm curious where people here stand on those particular terms
> in the context of translation. Is it worth establishing guidelines that
> allow since & over (while recommending choosing one and sticking to it), or
> is it still worthwhile to distinguish between since & because and over &
> more than?
>
> And if anyone cares to share a list of other common terms that are treated
> synonymously but shouldn't be, please share.
>
> Thanks.
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