Inclusive writing
It is a writing style which aims at including language that respects people’s choice and style by using a language that is gender neutral. It also encompasses language which is sensitive to minorities and those with disabilities. So for example, mankind becomes people, human beings or humanity, while a congressman is called a legislator or a congressional representative, and a person confined to a wheelchair becomes a person who uses a wheelchair.
English native speakers and writers don’t seem to struggle as much as their French and German counterparts about the correctness of inclusive writing. Indeed, they had already recognised the power of language in the mid-20th century during the feminist movement.
Language and society evolve hand in hand and cannot be dissociated from one another. While language allows to describe social behaviour and norms, it also reflects its evolution and becomes simultaneously part of it. It is not a simple tool, but like a living, dynamic organism which we never completely manage to tame – making it challenging and extremely fun to work with.
(January 23rd, 2019)
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Idioms and their figurative meaning are very difficult to translate since their are strongly related to their language and culture of origine.
Here are a few funny examples from the book series Expressions des peuples, génie des langues, Muriel Gilbert
The English expression "She thinks she is the cat's whiskers" becomes in French "Elle se prend pour le nombril du monde" (the world's belly button).
"My foot!" in English becomes "mon oeil !" (my eye!) in French.
(November 14th, 2018)
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From the Oxford Dictionary homepage
Adieu: literary, goodbye.
While in English it is an expression of good wishes when parting or at the end of a conversation, adieu in French is an
expression of definite farewell because the people are not expected to see each other very soon or anymore.
(September 24th, 2018)
It is a writing style which aims at including language that respects people’s choice and style by using a language that is gender neutral. It also encompasses language which is sensitive to minorities and those with disabilities. So for example, mankind becomes people, human beings or humanity, while a congressman is called a legislator or a congressional representative, and a person confined to a wheelchair becomes a person who uses a wheelchair.
English native speakers and writers don’t seem to struggle as much as their French and German counterparts about the correctness of inclusive writing. Indeed, they had already recognised the power of language in the mid-20th century during the feminist movement.
Language and society evolve hand in hand and cannot be dissociated from one another. While language allows to describe social behaviour and norms, it also reflects its evolution and becomes simultaneously part of it. It is not a simple tool, but like a living, dynamic organism which we never completely manage to tame – making it challenging and extremely fun to work with.
(January 23rd, 2019)
*********************************************************************************************
Idioms and their figurative meaning are very difficult to translate since their are strongly related to their language and culture of origine.
Here are a few funny examples from the book series Expressions des peuples, génie des langues, Muriel Gilbert
The English expression "She thinks she is the cat's whiskers" becomes in French "Elle se prend pour le nombril du monde" (the world's belly button).
"My foot!" in English becomes "mon oeil !" (my eye!) in French.
(November 14th, 2018)
*********************************************************************************************
From the Oxford Dictionary homepage
Adieu: literary, goodbye.
While in English it is an expression of good wishes when parting or at the end of a conversation, adieu in French is an
expression of definite farewell because the people are not expected to see each other very soon or anymore.
(September 24th, 2018)