Re: 4.1 proposal for discussion

My two cents worth is - if you print a list of any sort, and most especially
a long list, readers will possibly take that as an all inclusive list.  If
readers do so (consider the list to be all inclusive), we'll be getting all
sorts of feedback along the lines of, "but, you forgot blah, blah, blah".

It seems logical to assume that authors of materials in different languages
only need to be asked to write clearly in their particular language, use
common rules of grammar for their language and have web pages that follow
the language of the particular web content (if it's scientific, write with
that readership in mind and where possible write to a wider span of
readers).  

Maybe a couple of examples but the issue there is in what languages will you
promote this checkpoint?  If you go to the government web site for HUD
(http://www.hud.gov/cgi-bin/intercept?http://babel.altavista.com/translate.d
yn?lin=en&url=http://www.neighborhoodnetworks.org) this page will redirect
you to a translation page...but, the initial connection with this page is in
English and no other language.  Some might be able to muddle through it,
even if they did not read English but accurate ideas about the links would
be diminished if you were a non-English reader.  But, maybe the HUD idea is
better than no access at all...I dunno!

Doyle

-- 
Doyle Burnett
Education Specialist
Multiple Disabilities Program
907-562-7372


> From: Avi Arditti <aardit@voa.gov>
> Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 16:33:18 -0400
> To: w3c-wai-gl@w3.org
> Subject: Re: 4.1 proposal for discussion
> Resent-From: w3c-wai-gl@w3.org
> Resent-Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 16:33:40 -0400 (EDT)
> 
> 
> I agree that it makes sense to list at least some elements by language
> -- that's
> where sites like the Italian "Chiaro" site and the U.S. government's
> plainlanguage.gov can come in handy as guides.
> 
> I'll look for additional references for other languages ... any
> suggestions most
> welcome!
> 
> Avi
> 
> Charles McCathieNevile wrote:
> 
>> I am not suggesting that there is a problem of listing things that are
> 
>> specific to one language. I think it is sensible to do that. My
> opinion is
>> that we should do it, and we should be clear about what languages
> things are
>> useful for (so that nobody tries to apply rules for english to hebrew
> where
>> they are not applicable).
>> 
>> cheers
>> 
>> Chaals
>> 
>> On Tue, 27 Aug 2002, Avi Arditti wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> Update: I am seeking feedback from a few big guns (non-technical
>>> appelation) in the field of plain language and will report back as
> soon
>>> as I get answers.
>>> 
>>> The issue in debate is the wisdom of listing elements that might seem
> 
>>> weighted too heavily toward one language versus listing universal
>>> principles that might seem too weak to enforce across all languages.
>>> 
>>> Any more thoughts from the list?
>>> 
>>> Finally, I would appreciate any help from list members in Italy to
>>> translate elements of advice posted at the site for the Italian
>>> government's new plain-language campaign:
>>> http://www.funzionepubblica.it/chiaro/
>>> 
>>> Avi
>>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Charles McCathieNevile  http://www.w3.org/People/Charles  tel: +61 409
> 134 136
>> SWAD-E http://www.w3.org/2001/sw/Europe ------------ WAI
> http://www.w3.org/WAI
>> 21 Mitchell street, FOOTSCRAY Vic 3011, Australia  fax(fr): +33 4 92
> 38 78 22
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> 
>

Received on Tuesday, 27 August 2002 17:15:28 UTC