11–20 of 182 posts
Also invent words wherever you can: https://twitter.com/chiefchimpanzee/status/16157090455785062...
My dad used to do some technical translations and he disliked English namely because you cannot invent words like in Danish or German, where you can just put words together to make a new one.
> And remember, if you're writing in English, that a lot of your readers won't be native English speakers Just because some readers might not be proficient in English, we have to write plainly to accommodate them? What if they are seeking prose that makes them better at the language? This is a classic symptom of not having read enough literature. There is a visceral beauty in writing, and trying to place conditions o…
> And remember, if you're writing in English, that a lot of your readers won't be native English speakers Just because some readers might not be proficient in English, we have to write plainly to accommodate them? What if they are seeking prose that makes them better at the language? This is a classic symptom of not having read enough literature. There is a visceral beauty in writing, and trying to place conditions o…
> And remember, if you're writing in English, that a lot of your readers won't be native English speakers Just because some readers might not be proficient in English, we have to write plainly to accommodate them? What if they are seeking prose that makes them better at the language? This is a classic symptom of not having read enough literature. There is a visceral beauty in writing, and trying to place conditions o…
> And remember, if you're writing in English, that a lot of your readers won't be native English speakers Just because some readers might not be proficient in English, we have to write plainly to accommodate them? What if they are seeking prose that makes them better at the language? This is a classic symptom of not having read enough literature. There is a visceral beauty in writing, and trying to place conditions o…
And frankly, skimming the rest, I found most of the "conclusions" rather insulting. Imagine a world where fancy words can both give a simple idea, as well as provide a deeper meaning to those that look.
Indeed some of the most profound and lasting prose is that which paints a scene in your mind.
So what brings around a better image?
"The room was green".
Great? Do I care? Will that last?
Or
"The hue of the walls enveloped the space in a lush, verdant color. It was a shade that reminiscent of spring meadows and flourishing gardens, invigorating and rejuvenating to the senses. The green was not just a simple tint, but a depth of tone that conveyed life and growth. The room felt fresh and lively, as if it were breathing with the vibrancy of nature itself. The walls seemed to glow in the light, casting a serene aura that made you feel at peace. The color was bold yet calming, creating a space that was both exhilarating and relaxing at the same time."
I want to BE in this room. I can almost smell it.
> And remember, if you're writing in English, that a lot of your readers won't be native English speakers Just because some readers might not be proficient in English, we have to write plainly to accommodate them? What if they are seeking prose that makes them better at the language? This is a classic symptom of not having read enough literature. There is a visceral beauty in writing, and trying to place conditions o…
The other camp values writing in and of itself. They can sense the richness of words, the flexibility of meanings, the pliability of structure. They know that words are not containers of thought but are in fact co-constitutive of thought. They appreciate style and innovation at the level of the text itself. A plain idea put beautifully is more interesting to them than a beautiful idea put plainly. They can appreciate poetry, which is more economical than the bloodless prose those in the first camp worship, and yet far more interesting. When it comes to prose, they desire work that proves its linguistic creativity more than its intention or "meaning". Those in this camp are writers first and thinkers second.
Personally, I find the writing of everyone in the first camp completely agonizing and I lament every article that expounds the benefits of well-oiled plain-jane clarity above all. To me, trying to strive for some ultimate clarity in writing always stunk of massive denial of the fact that meaning is extremely fuzzy in general and that's part of what makes it all fun.
I find long paragraphs a lot harder to read in most written forms, and often 'go to the next line' only to have started that line over again.
For the most part, this article was written that way, whether intentional or not.