I thought I'd add a post here to see what others thought about the importance of spelling and grammar in software presentations. I do proofreading and editing for non-English speaking websites that want to assure a more "native" presence in their English-speaking websites. The administrator here commented that errors are not important as long as they do not change the context or the meaning. I say errors change everything. Old saying but true - you never get a 2nd chance to make a first impression; if that first impression is "Wow, bad English!" then it's difficult to ever overcome that.
What effect do you think correct spelling and grammar have?
Thanks!
promytius
"And words are all I have"
(9 posts) (6 voices)-
promytius1
MemberPosted 13 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberThe debate usually falls out like this:
One side says that coding is a completely different skill than grammar, and that poor grammar, etc., doesn't disqualify a program from being a fine piece of software. Indeed, many of us have seen high quality programs with language errors.
The other side says that it speaks to attention to detail and it can generate suspicion as to the real quality of the program, discouraging folks from giving the program a proper evaluation.
Partly because some of my training is in broadcasting, I lean towards the latter view. It's certainly true that there are plenty of people who simply won't fool with or trust a program with too many language errors, often just in the developer's advertising. And, more importantly, language problems can cause usability problems by generating difficult to understand instructions, discouraging testers. Both of these can, obviously, hurt a developer's bottom line, so it's hard not to recommend they do everything they can to have some command of any language in which they try and market their software.I think it will be interesting to hear some of the opinions on this.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredJap car in side is Room ok by me just a name not so good work shop manual Take off the round nut that is on a isuzu Truck injecter pump (by the way it was a deep nut on a tube)
errors are not important as long as they do not change the context or the meaning ?
To that way not try and get it right, I don't like round nut in a work shop manual only the six side nuts for me thank's.Posted 13 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberIMHO, you certainly make a good point, hotdoge. As a former electronic technician, I've had to deal with a lot of poorly written manuals which really hurt you in making repairs, especially quick repairs. Although, to be fair, I believe technical writing can be pretty tough to do well.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredJap car in side is Room on the heater is Room and Screen, was in japan just get some one to do the manual can you fix it uk or us English and not know the front from the back of a car that why it like this yes this will do I don't get it as they do the rest of make a car very good I think they make the best cars, one time most cars in new zealand made in us & uk the us was the best in the it be came jap cars in 1980 on.
Posted 13 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberHD, translating manuals has the same problem as translating software instructions. It can be pretty hard to do. Languages can be VERY different in a LOT of ways. That's especially true of technical stuff. A lot of times, the other language has to borrow words from the language of the inventors, because they have no words that are similar enough to be clearly understood.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Deserthead47
MemberClear and precise written information always a help,unfortunatley things do get lost in translations.I always found that having good diagrams/drawings helped to overcome a lot of the problems when dealing with language barriers.
Posted 13 years ago #
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