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Subject:Re: "via" - why often verboten ? From:sharipunyon -at- gmail -dot- com To:"Wright, Lynne" <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- Kronos -dot- com> Date:Wed, 2 Aug 2017 16:51:56 -0400
Also, remember that English words can have multiple meanings. A translator could pick the wrong one.
> On Aug 2, 2017, at 3:46 PM, Wright, Lynne <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- Kronos -dot- com> wrote:
>
> In terms of translation concerns, surely any term like "via" that exists in English dictionaries isn't going to be a problem?
>
> It's really only colloquialisms that you have to watch out for (although I can't think of any colloquialisms that are appropriate to tech writing anyway).
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=kronos -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=kronos -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of sharipunyon -at- gmail -dot- com
> Sent: Wednesday, August 2, 2017 3:26 PM
> To: Robin Whitmore <rwhitmore -at- weebly -dot- com>
> Cc: TechWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: Re: "via" - why often verboten ?
>
> 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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