RE: Tech writers: our pathetic lives

["Joe Malin" <jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com>]

I don't notice this problem all that much. Not that it doesn't *exist*,
I just don't notice it.

After all, I live in the Silicon Valley. The writing by "educated"
people is bad enough. I don't have time to worry about the ordinary
store signs.

On the other hand, I once worked in software localization. I know
several languages, and I also know the terrors of translating into
English. Furthermore, I did a lot of traveling overseas. My colleagues
used to tease me about my outrage over "English" translations (or lack
thereof) I encountered. Somewhere I have a large photo collection of
howlers, some of them taken from quite prestigious institutions like the
Louvre!

Something like "Pour plusiers reseignements, allez a la..." "For more
information, go at the cashier" (you'll pardon my memory, it was a while
ago).

Just because you know English, doesn't mean you can write. And just
because you know your native language and English, doesn't mean you're
qualified to translate from one to the other.

Joe

Joe Malin
Technical Writer
(408)625-1623
jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com 
www.tuvox.com
The views expressed in this document are those of the sender, and do not
necessarily reflect those of TuVox, Inc.	
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf
Of Evans, Diane L (Rosetta)
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 10:55 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Tech writers: our pathetic lives

>New theme: Let's all see if we can "out pathetic" each other on our
>anal-retentive tendencies.

My mind visibly hurts when I look at some store signs, such as
"Sandwitches."  (Of course, that also brings up humorous beach
pictures). 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

Easily create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to any popular Help file format or printed documentation. Learn more at http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40infoinfocus.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.