Re: "via" - why often verboten ?

[Karin Matchett <wordcraft -at- karinmatchett -dot- com>]

I'm a relatively new lurker and not actually a technical writer, but this is a n
onstandard definition of "passive voice" in my view. I don't consider either of
these (the original or the rewrite) to constitute passive voice. They're an indi
rect way of phrasing the thing, but not passive voice.

Karin


--

   Karin Matchett, Ph.D.
   [1]http://www.tomorrowsfootprint.com

   On 8/3/2017 10:44 AM, David Artman wrote:

   In that specific example, I think that "Share a Custom View using a
   URL" is more clear and easier to translate.

   Yes, that rewrite is still in passive voice; it could be "Use a URL to
   send a Custom View". Also, gerunds can be a translation issue as well:
   THREE reasons to go with "Use a URL to send a Custom View". ANNND that
   works with the typical 'swing thought' for titling a task topic: the
   title completes the phrase "How do I...?" But does the communication
   method matter more to the reader than the goal? Perhaps "Send a Custom
   View' is the actual ideal; and let the fact that a URL is the
   communication method 'emerge' in the shortdesc/intro and in the body?

   [RE the earlier post about weirdness in IBM Style Guide, they think
   translation first and foremost (35 languages in my last post there).
   You can get into all kinds of issues once right-to-left or vertical (or
   both!) languages enter the mix. "Below" and "above", for instance, are
   verboten.]

   HTH;

References

   1. http://www.tomorrowsfootprint.com/
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