Manuals and Their Strange Language
Aug 14, 2017 09:23:27 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I wonder if it would help to click on Google's "Translate this article" when reading a manual.
I was looking through the manual for my Sony WX9, and I saw this line.
"The flash strobes once every two times."
I was looking through the manual for my Sony WX9, and I saw this line.
"The flash strobes once every two times."
At least my Canon manual did not say-- part A goes into socket B and the tools for the installation are included. But the instructions did not say that the lens cap must be removed before taking pictures. Amd I ruined 3 rolls of film looking for the switch to open the back.
Aug 14, 2017 09:27:04 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I wonder if it would help to click on Google's "Translate this article" when reading a manual.
I was looking through the manual for my Sony WX9, and I saw this line.
"The flash strobes once every two times."
I was looking through the manual for my Sony WX9, and I saw this line.
"The flash strobes once every two times."
Remember the early days of computer manuals? Start reading how to accomplish a particular task and then be forced to jump back and forth between several chapters to find out what the heck they were talking about.
Most times I find camera manuals understandable but there are occasions where, like this one, you are left scratching your head. Guess that's why there is a plethora of help and reference books published. Some good and others bound for the trash bin.
Happy shooting
Aug 14, 2017 09:46:03 #
I recall years and years ago in early 80, computer manuals were written by tech for super techs. The language was that of an advanced mathematician with math general cases rather than specific simplified examples. If to the Nth then utilize the formula [x-n],,, loved Calculus... Nope! ... huh... what do I write when.. tell me... well they really were impressive in Non-communications to the masses. Yep Long Live DOS!!! the language of the gods.
http://www.patersontech.com/Dos/Manuals.aspx
http://www.patersontech.com/Dos/Manuals.aspx
Aug 14, 2017 09:46:33 #
jerryc41 wrote:
As someone recently reminded me, it is the Japanese who have trouble with R and L.
Regarding Kennedy's Berliner speech.
German-speakers point out that President Kennedy said the phrase absolutely correctly, although possibly with a thick American accent. The German language has subtleties that very few non-native speakers grasp. If President Kennedy had said "Ich bin Berliner," he would have sounded silly because with his heavy accent he couldn't possibly have come from Berlin. But by saying "Ich bin ein Berliner," he actually said "I am one with the people of Berlin." President Kennedy had a German journalist translate the phrase for him, and that journalist coached him at length on exactly how to say the phrase
Aug 14, 2017 09:48:07 #
ballsafire
Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana
jerryc41 wrote:
I think you mean "flying lice," something we definitely don't need!
Isn't that "fried rice"?
Aug 14, 2017 10:27:44 #
Not only is interpreting the manuals frustrating, but Canon must have the most lengthy manuals of any put out by camera manufacturers. I went into the Canon website to print a manual and I had to use over 200 pages of paper stock and the instructions only covered 1/2 page each. What a waste!
Aug 14, 2017 10:28:28 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I wonder if it would help to click on Google's "Translate this article" when reading a manual.
I was looking through the manual for my Sony WX9, and I saw this line.
"The flash strobes once every two times."
I was looking through the manual for my Sony WX9, and I saw this line.
"The flash strobes once every two times."
I got a flat tire, and couldn't for the life of me figure out where to place the jack, so I pulled out the manual. It said "Do not use the jack provided with this automobile."
Aug 14, 2017 10:38:53 #
Aug 14, 2017 10:55:42 #
jaycoffman
Loc: San Diego
Almost every manual suffers from that. What you need is (1) someone who knows the product well, (2) that same person must understand the technical language (a foreign language to most of us) and (3) that same person must know English ( or whatever language it's being translated to). Unfortunately most CEOs attention span isn't that broad and all s/he sees is "How much will this service cost?" and "Why do we care--they have already purchased our product--let's move on to the next sucker."
So it's a perfect storm and we're left o figuring it out ourselves.
So it's a perfect storm and we're left o figuring it out ourselves.
Aug 14, 2017 11:05:16 #
John Kennedy said it correctly. The funny thing is, yes a Berliner is both the citizen of Berlin and also a filled doughnut. Great double meaning. Take it from this native German.
WJH
WJH
Aug 14, 2017 11:33:06 #
Aug 14, 2017 11:42:02 #
jerryc41 wrote:
As someone recently reminded me, it is the Japanese who have trouble with R and L.
I recall reading somewhere that in Japanese, there's little or no difference in the sounds of these letters. They can provide the correct sound in English if they know what the word is. So I guess when looking at a menu they would know to ask for "fried rice"😊
Aug 14, 2017 13:35:27 #
There are usually four types of problems with technical manuals other than translation issues:
1. If they're written by expert technicians rather than expert writers, they may not explain things at a level that non-experts can understand.
2. If they not written by someone who understands what the device is intended to do, they may not explain what the device actually does.
3. If they're not written by someone who knows how and why to use the device, they may not explain why or when a feature is used.
4. If they're written from the specifications, it is possible (actually very likely) that something changed during development and implementation and those changes never got reflected in the specifications.
The first three of these issues get compounded in translation, especially word-for-word translations.
1. If they're written by expert technicians rather than expert writers, they may not explain things at a level that non-experts can understand.
2. If they not written by someone who understands what the device is intended to do, they may not explain what the device actually does.
3. If they're not written by someone who knows how and why to use the device, they may not explain why or when a feature is used.
4. If they're written from the specifications, it is possible (actually very likely) that something changed during development and implementation and those changes never got reflected in the specifications.
The first three of these issues get compounded in translation, especially word-for-word translations.
Aug 14, 2017 13:47:10 #
Aug 14, 2017 14:12:39 #
Someone could make a lot of money if they wrote a manual on how to understand manuals.
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