RE: passive vs active voice in May 9 Proposed reorganization

I'm confused and maybe I'm missing something?
 
If I am, then I apologise in advance, but don't we want to move 
towards active and away from passive?
 
Examples:
the boy hit the ball with the bat [active]
the ball was hit with the bat by the boy [passive]
 
Issues:
. the left-to-right reader has to wait much longer in the passive
   voice until they get to the subject of the sentence.
 
. passive sentences usually take more words to say the same thing.
 
. the subject-verb-object structure is dominant in the Western world
[currently has most Internet users].
 
. passive is harder to translate into other languages.
 
 
thanks,
Gordon. 
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: David MacDonald [mailto:befree@magma.ca]
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003 4:52 PM
To: w3c-wai-gl@w3.org
Subject: RE: passive vs active voice in May 9 Proposed reorganization



HI All

 

John Slatin's explanation of passive/active is in line with my understanding
and is why I introduced this idea.

I agree with Gregg that passive voice may be better.  As far as I can see
that means that only 3 guidelines would have to be adapted.

 

Here are my suggestions to make the 3 active voice guidelines speak in the
passive voice with the other guidelines.

It would also remove the imperative.

 

David MacDonald

 


Core 

2-C1   [2.1]   Ensure that all of the functionality is operable at a minimum
through a keyboard or a keyboard interface.

 

Rewrite: All of the functionality is operable at a minimum through a
keyboard or a keyboard interface.


2-C2   [2.2] Allow users to control any time limits on their reading,
interaction, or responses unless control is not possible due to nature of
real time events or competition.

 

Rewrite: Users are allowed to control any time limits on their reading,
interaction, or responses unless control is not possible due to nature of
real time events or competition.

 


Extended

2-E1   [2.3]    User can prevent screen flicker.

 

Rewrite: screen flicker can be prevented by user 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

=========================

 

Access Empowers People...

       ...Barriers Disable Them

 

         <http://www.eramp.com/> www.eramp.com

 

 

 

=========================

 

Access Empowers People...

       ...Barriers Disable Them

 

         <http://www.eramp.com/> www.eramp.com

Received on Thursday, 5 June 2003 17:19:26 UTC