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Aaron Writes Volume 8
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Aaron Writes
Volume 8
Writing versus Translation: The Active Voice
November 1, 2005
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Hello: This is the 8th issue of Aaron Writes, the writing newsletter of Aaron Language
Services (ALS) http://www.aaronlanguage.com. We issue Aaron Writes monthly. Each
issue examines one writing topic. Our topic this month covers writing versus translation
and the active voice. Each issue also includes two trivia questions about writing and
writers. The questions and answers are scattered throughout the issue. We hope you will
find the trivia interesting. Aaron Writes is also happy to answer reader questions. If you
have questions about writing, please email director@aaronlanguage.com in English, and
we will answer your question in a future issue of Aaron Says. Please specify how you
would like your name signed. If you would like the letter to be anonymous, that is fine
too.
--------------- Writing versus Translation: The Active Voice ---------------
This month we will discuss writing versus translation. These are two very different skill
sets. Confusing them will create problems. Some writers write in their native language
and then translate their writing into English. One of the biggest problems this creates for
Japanese writing translated into English is overuse of the passive voice.
The passive voice is used by many Japanese writers. It is not clear to us why it is used so
much. We Americans are taught by our teachers that using the passive voice weakens our
writing. Writing done by writers using the active voice seems stronger.
Now, let's rewrite that using the active voice:
Many Japanese writers use the passive voice, but we do not understand why. We
Americans learn in school that the passive voice weakens our writing. Writers using the
active voice produce stronger writing.
Which did you like better?
You probably know that the active voice is better to use. Writing in English instead of
translating from Japanese to English is the first step to increase your use of the active
voice and reduce your use of the passive. However, it is only the first step. When we
write in a foreign language, we often use patterns from our first language. A Japanese
writer writing in English can use the passive voice just as much as a Japanese translator
translating from Japanese to English.
The writer must take steps to reduce using the passive voice. The first step is to
consciously try to use the active voice when writing. This may not always work. The
second step is to always go back over your writing after you finish a draft and try to
change passive voices to active ones as much as you can. Remember that the passive
voice does have a place in writing. When you change the passive into the active, you will
need to add actors too. A sentence saying, "The book was read." must be changed to say
who read the book. As we have mentioned, we often cannot see our own writing and
feedback is helpful. The next step is to ask someone else to check your writing and give
you feedback on your use of the passive voice. Edit your writing again.
All of these steps will be difficult at first. None of them will happen unconsciously. They
all must be done consciously. If you do them consciously, they will eventually be
incorporated into your unconscious, helping you in the process of becoming a better
writer.
Next month we will continue to discuss writing versus translation with a look at
organization styles.
****************** Trivia Question ******************
Who originally had fur slippers?
------------------ 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 or
pleasure -- business, academic, or creative -- please contact
Aaron Language Services for information about the Aaron writing program.
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 Short Four/Five Paper
Course, which is one of our ten-week Aaron writing modules. Every other
week for eight weeks, you will write a short paper. Aaron will read your
writing. After the Aaron reading, you and Aaron will have an online dialogue
about your writing. Aaron will correct grammar problems. More importantly
though, we 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. For the finale -- the ninth
week, you will choose the short paper that you like best and turn it into a
longer paper. 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 as well as ongoing courses. If you would
like to discuss the possibility of an individualized writing program, please email
director@aaronlanguage.com.
------------------- Trivia Answer -------------------
Cinderella did. Her slippers were originally made of fur. A translator changed the story
in the 1600s.
********************* PR *********************
英文ライティング指導
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。
ALSサイトhttp://www.aaronlanguage.com/writing.htmをご覧ください。
お問い合わせは、director@aaronlanguage.comまで。
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。
------------------ Trivia Question ------------------
Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz are well known and loved around the world. Where did
the name Oz come from?
**********************************************
ALS also issues Aaron Says every month. Each regular issue contains three
sections on different topics. We hope these topics will help you with your
translation, English writing, and knowledge of America and the Western
world. 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
リソース, you will find more help at our site. Our site also shows the
proofreading, writing, translation, web design, and English question and
answer services that we offer.
If you would like to ask any English related questions, please send them to
english@aaronlanguage.com or submit them using our English Question Form, which
you can reach from the Free Questions & Answers About English link on the 英文ライ
ティング リソース page. Let us know if you would like to see your questions answered
with a lengthy response in Aaron Says. We can publish your questions anonymously or
with your name. Please let us know which you would prefer.
******************** Trivia Answer ********************
Frank Baum, the author, named Oz after two file cabinets in his office. One of
the cabinet covered from A to N and the other from O to Z.
--------------------- 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。
お問い合わせは、 director@aaronlanguage.com まで。
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。
******************* Trivia Questions Wanted *******************
Do you have a trivia question about your favorite writer or a book 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.
If you don't have any questions, but are enjoying our trivia questions, please let us know.
We are hungry for feedback.
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
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