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Subject:Re: "via" - why often verboten ? From:sharipunyon -at- gmail -dot- com To:Robin Whitmore <rwhitmore -at- weebly -dot- com> Date:Wed, 2 Aug 2017 15:25:59 -0400
I tend to write for the lowest common denominator, if possible. So I don't think about what an adult would understand, but a 7th grader or non-native speaker.
I would avoid via for that reason. Also potential translation issues.
> On Aug 2, 2017, at 12:01 PM, Robin Whitmore <rwhitmore -at- weebly -dot- com> wrote:
>
> Here's an interesting post from The Content Wrangler about the death of the
> formal voice:
>http://thecontentwrangler.com/2017/07/10/the-formal-business-voice-is-dead/
>
> While it may be a bit over the top, I do agree that anything that makes the
> writing more concise and easier to understand is best. Without knowing the
> context, I don't think "via" would cause confusion. The only caveat might
> be translation.
>
> On Wed, Aug 2, 2017 at 8:53 AM, Monique Semp <monique -dot- semp -at- earthlink -dot- net>
> wrote:
>
>> Hello, WR-L-ers,
>>
>> Pubs style guides have long said to avoid âviaâ in favor of âbyâ. And in
>> the case of MMoS (Microsoft Manual of Style), it says that âviaâ implies a
>> geographic context,and to use the more specific term, âbyâ, âthroughâ, orâ'
>> âby means ofâ.â
>>
>> But dictionary.com has the 2nde definition as âby the agency or
>> instrumentality ofâ. So perhaps âviaâ is evolving?
>>
>> I hope so because I really want to use âviaâ to mean, âby means ofâ. Itâs
>> much pithier, and I doubt could be misunderstood.
>>
>> Thoughts?
>> -Monique
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>
>
> --
> *Robin Whitmore*
> Senior Tech Writer
> Weebly
> 460 Bryant Street, #100
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> rwhitmore -at- weebly -dot- com
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