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Kangiten Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Best way of translating indefinite pronoun
Hello
I'm translating a bunch of documents from French into English. These are tutorials that explain in detail complex programming procedures.
The original documents use the French "on" pronoun, which is indefinite. It's hard to say whether "we" or "you" is actually implied. As such I'm not sure which personal pronoun should be used for such documents.
- We or you ? (Not sure about those since, as I explained, the original documents are quite vague and sometimes, both perspectives seem to be mixed)
- One ? (I think it would be odd)
- Someone suggested I should make the English versions as indefinite as possible using passive voice; is that a good solution?
As always, any advice will be very appreciated
I'm translating a bunch of documents from French into English. These are tutorials that explain in detail complex programming procedures.
The original documents use the French "on" pronoun, which is indefinite. It's hard to say whether "we" or "you" is actually implied. As such I'm not sure which personal pronoun should be used for such documents.
- We or you ? (Not sure about those since, as I explained, the original documents are quite vague and sometimes, both perspectives seem to be mixed)
- One ? (I think it would be odd)
- Someone suggested I should make the English versions as indefinite as possible using passive voice; is that a good solution?
As always, any advice will be very appreciated
Top answer
Let's see some sample text... the English text, that is.
- Let's see some sample text...
- the English text, that is.
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6 Answers
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Yes, I agree with Mr. M, but here's a thought - can you write most of it as commands? I prefer "you" when reading tutorials when necessary.
Examples:
Make your selection within ten seconds or else the session will time out (first choice)
You must make your selection within ten seconds or the session will time (second choice)
If a selection is not made within t
Examples:
Make your selection within ten seconds or else the session will time out (first choice)
You must make your selection within ten seconds or the session will time (second choice)
If a selection is not made within t
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Mister MicawberLet's see some sample text... the English text, that is.For instance:
"Fields are deleted by clicking on the corresponding icon"
"You can delete fields by clicking on the corresponding icon"
"We can delete fields by clicking on the corresponding icon"
"One can delete fields by clicking on the corresponding icon"
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My thoughts, in this order:
Delete the field by clicking on the corresponding icon.
You can delete fields by clicking on the corresponding icon.
Fields are deleted by clicking on the corresponding icon.
Don't use "we." It's too homey. The tutorial isn't really standing by my shoulder doing it with me.
Delete the field by clicking on the corresponding icon.
You can delete fields by clicking on the corresponding icon.
Fields are deleted by clicking on the corresponding icon.
Don't use "we." It's too homey. The tutorial isn't really standing by my shoulder doing it with me.
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Delete fields by clicking on the corresponding icon.
To delete a field, click on the corresponding icon.
Click on the corresponding icon to delete a field.
Clicking on the corresponding icon will delete a field.
Less formally, include "you".
You can delete fields by clicking on the corresponding icon.
etc.
CJ
To delete a field, click on the corresponding icon.
Click on the corresponding icon to delete a field.
Clicking on the corresponding icon will delete a field.
Less formally, include "you".
You can delete fields by clicking on the corresponding icon.
etc.
CJ
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