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Subject:Re: writing for non-native speakers of English From:"Charlotte H. Jacobsen" <chjac -at- AMROSE -dot- SPO -dot- DK> Date:Wed, 10 Sep 1997 08:53:32 +0200
>Michele wrote:
>
> I am looking for information about writing for non-native speakers of
> English. Some background:
> Option 1: worked in the United States as a research fellow at the
> Chemistry Department of Stanford University, California
>
> Option 2: worked in the United States as a research fellow in
> Stanford University's Chemistry Department in California.
>
> I'm not sure that example fully captures the distinction I'm trying to
> make, but it's the one that got me started on this message ;-)
>
> Another example:
>
> Option 1: in charge of developing, managing, and producing databases
>
> Option 2: in charge of the development, management, and production
> of databases
In Denmark we learn english from grade 4; american (and german, english,
french,...) films on TV and in cinema are subtitled with the original
sound-track; nobody else speak danish so we need to talk to strangers in
their language and preferably english. All this to say that english is our
second language, and it IS used by us.
I think that the options that feels best in english should be used no
matter what the destination is.
In danish we would allways use
option 1: the university's department
but I think that option 2 sounds better in english.
One thing, though, american texts tend to be very long and a
somewhat repetitive of themselves in opposition to UK texts. At the
university rumour has it that americans get payed for the number of pages
they produce and britains for the number of books.
Bottom line: Be precise and use the phrasing that works best in english.
Regards from Denmark
Charlotte.
>
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