英作文、ビジネス英語のコツをご紹介
Aaron Writes Volume 14
==============================
Aaron Writes
Volume 14
Waffle Words
May 1, 2006
==============================
Hello: This is the 14th issue of Aaron Writes, the writing newsletter
of Aaron
Language Services (ALS). We issue Aaron Writes monthly. Each issue
examines
one writing topic and includes a section on business English. Our
writing topic
this month covers what we like to call waffle words. Our business
English
section this month covers ‘monozukuri.’ We hope this issue is
helpful for you.
Aaron Writes is also happy to answer reader questions. If you have a
question
about writing, please email director@aaronlanguage.com in English,
and we will
answer your question in a future issue of Aaron Writes. Please
specify how you
would like your name signed. If you would like the letter to be
anonymous, that
is fine too.
Waffle Words
It is thought that waffle words are used by some people who want to
consider
all the options. It is believed that they thoughtfully examine all
the choices and
may want to indicate that they are not completely certain of what is
being said.
It is said that nothing is 100% sure in life, and people may want to
acknowledge
that in their writing. While this is certainly a valid perspective,
it is entirely
possible that people who use waffle words are doing one of two
things. Some
say that uncertainty is an appropriate writing style.
Nonnative English speaking people using waffle words in their English
writing
are normally unaware of how unnatural the words sound in English.
Some waffle
word users do not limit their use of waffle words. Waffle word users
need to
understand that such words are for when the writer wants to emphasize
uncertainty. People using waffle words when translating from Japanese to
English may be remaining true to the original text if they want to do
a literal
translation. However, translators may not be true to the message when
they
use waffle words.
Waffle words are the opposite of straight talk, the opposite of
direct talk.
This waffling is a nonstandard pattern for those wanting to be good,
or even
competent English writers. Waffle words used frequently are the opposite
from most writers’ goals of writing good English. As you have
probably
noticed the first paragraph of this section on waffle words does waffle,
and the second does not. Here are two questions: 1) Are you able to
point out the waffle word phrases? We found five. 2) Which style
paragraph do you prefer?
Waffle words avoid making a decision or taking responsibility. To waffle
means to go back and forth, unable to make a decision. Should I have
waffles or should I have pancakes? If you are wondering about the
connection between waffling, as in being indecisive, and waffles, as
in a
breakfast food eaten with maple syrup on weekend mornings, the only
connection is the spelling. The word waffle as in indecisive comes from
the word waff, which means to yap or yelp, while the word waffle as in
the breakfast food comes from a Dutch word, wafel, which partly refers
to a wafer.
Japanese writing contains a large number of waffle words compared to
English, and some politicians, both Japanese and not Japanese, have
perfected the art of waffling. Nothing they say is ever perfectly clear.
Alan Greenspan was infamous for his lack of clarity. He said that people
were mistaken if they thought they understood him.
Japanese society is more accepting of waffle writing than the
English-speaking world. Good English writing is strong, clear, and
decisive. It does not waste words. When you write in English, we
recommend that you limit your use of waffle words to the times that
you need them. Doing so will help to make your English writing stronger.
----------- 翻訳とライティングについてのエッセイ
-----------
アーロン ランゲージ サービス ウェブサイトでは、
法律文書、
科学文書、技術文書、日本文化に関する文書につい
てのエッセイおよび、
ライティング、編集、校正、翻訳についてのエッセ
イを英語で
掲載しています。また、ビジネス、科学技術、IT、
情報セキュリティー、
医療分野の翻訳、科学論文の英文作成 ・ 翻訳な
どについての
日本語によるエッセイも掲載しています。これらの
エッセイは内外を
問わず各種分野に精通した専門家や翻訳者による著
述で、
広範囲にわたる文化的側面やあらゆる側面を反映し
たものです。
http://aaronlanguage.com/main_essay_page.htmにてご覧ください。
日本語のエッセイ
ビジネス翻訳における訳語の選択
マーケティング翻訳について
産業 ・ 工業翻訳 （ インダストリアルトランス
レーション ）
専門知識は何処まで必要？
初めて英語で科学論文を書くとき
科学論文英訳者からお客様への助言
特許翻訳の特殊性
「 契約書英日 ・ 日英翻訳 」 の品質と生産性の向
上を目指して
英文契約書の翻訳上達への対策
英文契約書の基本的な共通構成要素を体得する
国際取引と英文契約書の翻訳 （ 英日 ・ 日英 ）
法律 ・ 契約文書の翻訳は英語構文と日本語構文を考えて訳出
日本語と英文契約書 ： 日米間の契約スタイルの違い
法律文書の翻訳過程について
契約文書 （ 国際契約 ） の翻訳に求められる資質
英日技術翻訳の問題点
技術翻訳の特徴と難しさ
技術翻訳との出会い
分かりやすい技術翻訳 （ 社内翻訳編 ）
翻訳における知識と IT 翻訳の特徴について
情報セキュリティと責任 ( 翻訳の観点から )
脅迫警報？
これまで翻訳業務に携わって思ったこと （ PCマ
ニュアル翻訳の観点から ）
翻訳メモリツールの長所と短所
翻訳ツールとしてのWordと一太郎 （ ATOK ）
医薬、医療翻訳の品質を高めるために必要なことは
何か
医療論文の書き方とその翻訳についての覚書 —
英語になることを拒む論文
医療翻訳，医薬翻訳 — 三ヶ国語の海で泳ぎ疲れて
行政翻訳 ( bureaucratic translation ) は役所言葉の解読作業
翻訳における諸問題
技術翻訳者のメモ帳から—日本語独特の曖昧さの表現
ネイティブスピーカーから学んだ外国語の書き方
— 17年の翻訳経験から言えること
英文校正について
翻訳クラスの窓から
スペイン語翻訳—スペイン系それともラテンアメリ
カ系か
団塊の世代の大量定年時代と翻訳熱の高まりに想う
英語のエッセイ
下記英文エッセイのうちの幾つかは既に和訳版も掲
載しておりますが、
現在英文のみ掲載しているものも、今後和訳を掲載
する予定です。
Write, Edit, Proof
Translate, Edit, Proof: The Process of Changing a Thesis from
Japanese to English
Ten style errors that Japanese translators of English make
Four Elements of Good Legal Writing
What is Good English Science Writing?
Watson and Crick and Good Science Writing
Two Approaches to Improving Technical Writing
Ten Fundamentals of Technical Writing
Some Common Errors in Medical English Writing Word Usage
More Common Errors in Medical English Writing Word Usage
English Medical Writing and Human Emotions: Confidence and Empathy
Universal Medical English Writing
Japanese to English Translations with English Type Logic and Japanese
to English Translations with Japanese Type Logic
Japanese and English Resumes: 13 Key Differences
Translating
Reference Letters from Japanese to English
Writing About Japanese Food for Tourists and People Interested in
Japanese
Culture High Tech, Poor Writing
From English to German - Anglicisms
英語のエッセイの和訳
英文執筆、英文編集、英文校正
和英翻訳、英文編集、英文校正 ： 日本語論文の英
訳プロセス
分かりやすい英文サイエンスライティングとは
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business English − ‘Monozukuri’
The Japanese word ‘monozukuri’ is frequently used in the business
and industrial world, particularly where manufacturing is involved.
As we understand it, the basic meaning is simply to make things,
but the word‘monozukuri’ also expresses the manufacturing spirit
that emphasizes creativity, innovation, and precision. Historically,
this is seen in the idea of craftsmanship and art in production. The
manufacturing industry today is working hard to continue this tradition.
We thought that this word was not yet part of the English language.
About two hundred Japanese words have become part of English.
Such words include kimono, sushi, zen, honcho, ramen, tofu,
rickshaw, karaoke, soy, tsunami, moxa, kabuki, manga, sumo, ninja,
and typhoon. We checked the dictionary just to be sure. It was not
in our dictionary. That means that ‘monozukuri’ belongs in italics
and needs an explanation.
While the explanation above is certainly comprehensive, it is too
long to simply explain a term. If readers want that much explanation,
they should look elsewhere. As this newsletter is written in text
format, we cannot use italics. Therefore, we have used single
quotation marks to set off ‘monozukuri.’
We checked the Internet to see which English terms were used
for ‘monozukuri.’ We found the following:
development/manufacturing of products
innovative manufacturing
‘monozukuri’ (making thing) (sic)
"Monozukuri" - the art of making things
"monozukuri" -- or manufacturing of goods
Among these, we liked "Monozukuri" - the art of making things
the best. We found this definition on a Keidanren web page at
http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/journal/200408.html
We edited it slightly though to read ‘monozukuri’ (the art of
making things). We did this because capitalization is not necessary.
Single quotation marks look better than double quotations in this
case. Although foreign words are in italics, the definition looks best
in parentheses here.
In 20 years this word may enter the English language. Then in 20 years,
italics and a definition will not be necessary.
-----------------------Our Writing Program-----------------------
Aaron Language Services is now working online to help writers
improve their writing skills. If your goal is to improve your writing
for work, school, or pleasure, please contact Aaron Language
Services for information about the Aaron writing program. We can
help with business, academic, and creative writing including reports,
articles, essays, tests, and stories.
Writing is speaking to the eyes rather than the ears. We know when
we express our thoughts well in English because people respond
positively. They listen to us. If you think others see your words,
but your ideas are sometimes not clear enough, you might consider
our Intermediate Business Email Writing course. Every other week for
ten weeks, you will write to your Aaron coach. Your coach will read
your writing. After the Aaron reading, you and your Aaron coach will
have an online dialogue about your writing. Your coach will correct
grammar problems. More importantly though, your coach will make
suggestions for writing improvements: going deeper into the writing:
expressing yourself better, using key words that convey your meaning,
sounding more natural in English. Naturally, guidance in proofreading
and editing your own writing is a key component in our writing program.
Aaron now offers a variety of writing modules. If you would like to
discuss the possibility of an individualized writing program, please
email englishplus@aaronlanguage.com. Our main page for writing lessons
is at http://www.aaronlanguage.com/writing.htm
Please take a look at the courses we offer.
You can also visit our new site at http://www.aaroncoaches.com on
writing lessons. We will soon be listing new courses at both sites in
addition to those listed below:
初級 レッスン
初級 Ｅメール レッスン
初級 映画 レッスン
初級 動物 レッスン
中級 Ｅメール レッスン
中級 ビジネス Ｅメール レッスン
中級 映画 レッスン
中級 動物 レッスン
上級 ビジネス
上級 人生経験
上級 映画 — エッセイの構成
上級 動物 — エッセイの構成
ライティング 中級 翻訳 - 一般翻訳
ライティング 上級 翻訳 - 一般翻訳
ライティング 上級 翻訳 - ビジネス翻訳
ライティング 上級 翻訳 - 技術翻訳
----------- Essays on Translation and Writing -----------
Aaron Language Services has essays in English at our web site on
English legal writing, English science writing, English technical
writing, and writing in English about Japanese culture as well as
essays about writing, editing, proofreading, and translation. We
also have essays in Japanese about business, scientific, technical,
IT, information security, and medical translation including writing
scientific articles. We will be putting up more essays in the future
too on other topics related to writing, proofreading, and
translation including more on article writing. These essays were
written by a variety of Japanese, American, and European writers
and translators living in Japan and overseas, including a native
German-speaking translator, reflecting a wide variety of cultural
views and different approaches. We think you will find them of
interest.
Please take a look at http://aaronlanguage.com/main_essay_page.htm
********************************* PR *********************************
ALSでは英文ライティングに興味を持っている方々を
対象に、
英文ライティングオンライン通信講座を開講し、随
時受付中です。
講師は全員北米出身で、言語学などの博士課程修了
者。
すべて英語による直接指導なので高い効果が期待で
きます。
弊社サイトhttp://www.aaronlanguage.com/writing.htmをご覧く
ださい。
交信はすべて英語となります。日本語でのお問合せ
は、englishplus@aaronlanguage.comまで。
**********************************************************************
ALS also issues Aaron Says every month. Each regular issue contains
three sections on different topics, and each special issue focuses on
one topic. We hope these topics will help you with your translation,
English writing, and knowledge of America and the Western world.
Some issues also include special sections on translation in the news,
where we cover translation to and from Spanish, French, German,
Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Greek, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and
other languages in Europe and around the world. Other issues will
include sections about culture and life in Spain, France, Germany,
Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Holland, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Denmark,
and other countries.
For more information on Aaron Language Services please visit our
site at http://www.aaronlanguage.com
If you click on 英文ライティングお役立ち, you will find
more help at our site.
Our site also shows the proofreading, writing, translation, and web
design services that we offer.
If you would like to ask any English related questions, please send
them to director@aaronlanguage.com
Let us know if you would like to see your questions answered with a
lengthy response in Aaron Writes. We can publish your questions
anonymously or with your name. Please let us know which you would
prefer.
------------------------------------------------ PR
------------------------------------------
英文ライティング指導
英文ライティングの指導も行なっています。
ALSディレクター、インダ・S・シャーリー博士が、
文法的に正しいことはもちろん、
自然で魅力的な英文が書けるよう指導します。
交信はすべて英語となります。
日本語でのお問合せは、 englishplus@aaronlanguage.com ま
で。
***** Business Writing Questions Wanted ********************
Do you have a question about business writing in the English speaking
world? If so, we’d appreciate your sending the question to
director@aaronlanguage.com and we will be happy to put it in our
next issue. We might want to edit your English so it looks more natural.
We can use your name or not as you like. Please let us know.
Aaron Writes is a publication of Aaron Language Services.
日本における英語翻訳、英文校正、他言語翻訳、他言語校正などの代表者連絡先 ： honyaku@aaronlanguage.com
アメリカのカリフォルニア州サンフランシスコに拠点を置く翻訳 （ 英語、和英、英和、日英、英日、論文翻訳等 ）、英文校正、多言語翻訳、多言語校正、ネットスクールの英文ライティング指導等の総合サービス。
ALSはグローバル体制で24時間対応。
（ なお、お支払いには日本国内の銀行口座をご利用いただけます ）。
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