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Re: Texts and Courses on Grammar for Technical Communicators
Subject:Re: Texts and Courses on Grammar for Technical Communicators From:Tom Herme <hermet -at- DNINEVADA -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 27 Aug 1998 16:48:03 -0700
And to add to George...
I learned more English grammar by learning and using a second (that is,
foreign) language, such as German, than I did in any English class. And I was
an English major too! Another benefit of learning another language is that one
begins to look at the world differently because of that language's unique way
that it describes the world. I've found this to be helpful when I am writing
for users who have to read how to use our products. It doesn't solve all
problems, by far, but it does build some sensitivity.
For what it's worth....
Tom Herme
George F. Hayhoe wrote:
> When I was in school back in the Dark Ages, I learned more
> grammar in fifth-grade English (diagramming sentences) and
> in second year Latin in highschool (translating Caesar and
> Livy) than in any of my BA, MA, or PhD courses in English.
> Teaching those skills fell out of fashion in the late 50s
> and early 60s, so there are lots of technical communicators
> who haven't had a formal course in grammar, even if they
> came into the profession through degree programs in tech
> comm.
>
> For more detail on the mysteries of English grammar than the
> typical college composition handbook like Harbrace provides,
> I'd recommend Fowler's _Dictionary of Modern English Usage_
> (Oxford Univ. Press). I have the 1st (1926) and 2nd (1965)
> editions, but I'm fairly certain there's a 3rd edition out
> by now. It's an excellent source on "correct" (whatever that
> means!) grammar and vocabulary.
>
> Is there much interest out there in a formal course on
> grammar and usage specifically geared to technical
> communication?
>
> --George Hayhoe (ghayhoe -at- ghayhoe -dot- com)
>
> George Hayhoe Associates
> Voice: +1 (803) 642-2156
> Fax: +1 (803) 642-9325
>http://www.ghayhoe.com
>
> Winner
> APEX '98 Award for Publication Excellence
>
> Best of Show Winner
> Carolina Foothills/South Carolina STC Chapters
> 1997-98 Technical Publications Competition
>
--
_________________________________
Tom Herme
Senior Technical Writer
DNI Nevada, Inc. mailto://hermet -at- dninevada -dot- com
