Editing tips

Did you know that Ops is the goddess of abundance in Roman mythology?

Oops I did not…

… this is how one of my newsletters began.

Newsletter could be named boletín in Spanish, and this is precisely the subject of this article: The excessive and needless use of anglicisms.

Although in Spanish language there is an increasing tendency to use foreign terms, above all from English language, if we want our texts to be written using correct Spanish language, we should pay attention to it.

It is a question of being careful with the use of some words which may cause confusion when writing them, due to the similarity in both languages, English and Spanish.

Obviously we have to know which ones they are so that we will be aware to write them correctly. And to make it more clear, here we see much used examples which I find when editing different contents.

They are anglicisms we see and hear often, like the reference of the title: Ops, although *…

The interjection Oops! (which is used to express surprise, as well as other emotions) *as you know in English is written with double ‘o’, therefore… do not miss one otherwise you will be naming Ops, the Roman abundance goddess 😉.

This interjection is written ¡Ups! in Spanish.

The following two examples are anglicisms very commonly used, and far too many times I see them written in their English mode (in Spanish texts), therefore here you have their correct forms in Spanish:

Stress – estrés.

Standard – estándar.

Another example comes ‘in the form of a boss’ 👀, and it is:

Manager, which in Spanish is written with accent mánager, and its plural becomes los mánager.

This example leads us to some of the foreign words assimilated into Spanish language and its plural form.

And the Spanish grammar norm is that the words ended in a different consonant than n, l, r, d, j and z form its plural adding an S at the end, like webs, clips, robots, airbags, anoraks, etc.

Within social networks and internet, there is an anglicism which has become like a ‘member of the family’ …

👉 Link – enlace in Spanish.

More frequent examples within the mentioned field, and the online training too, are:

Slogan – eslogan.

Workshop – taller.

Masterclass – clase magistral.

Webinar – seminario web.

By the way, talking about assimilated words, online is a “semi-assimilated” one since it can be translated into Spanish, but if you prefer keeping the English form online, in Spanish it is written in italics (or between inverted commas if there is no way to use italics).

And finally, there are 3 anglicisms which I hear quite often, and see them written, as if there were not good options in Spanish:

Feedback, Mindset, and Insight

Here I give you their possible translation (although there are more):

Valoración, Actitud y Percepción

As I comment in my article Words educate, with such a huge variety of words to choose from, why don’t we use them?

Spanish language has an ample and rich vocabulary, but it seems foreign words are cooler than our own.

Have to say I love foreign culture (above all travelling to other countries), but I am also conscious that our language is fascinating, therefore here I am to guard my native language…

… as a Spanish native, and as a linguist, –although I love English language–

💪 I defend a greater use of Spanish vocabulary.

Also have to add that foreigners love Spanish language, especially those who study it (and I am very aware of it since I am also teacher of Spanish as a foreign language 😉.)

I have a question: Do you also have this feeling, or fact actually, in your country and with your language?

Come on, I will be waiting for your answer which I will read, and answer 🙂.

🙏🏼 Thank you for being there and for investing part of you time to read me.

I want you to know you can comment, suggest, ask… anything you come up with, here I am to read them with care and dedication 💜.

Examples on the importance of editing texts

Editing a text is key to be able to transmit in a correct way because, among other reasons, its influence on good behaviour is huge. Unconsciously what is read or heard goes into the virgin minds, therefore the review and the choice of words is crucial.

Just by being a bit more careful when choosing words, you can realise the energy and the effect they can create in all areas, the field of education included.

With the examples below, you will get the picture of how important it is to revise a text before launching it. Editing is indispensable to avoid the errors a text may have coming to light publicly.

And for the same reason, if you need a text to be translated, you should not economise in this and choose a professional translation service which is also essential to keep a good image for you and your business. Yes… everything counts, and words much more than you can imagine.

Now the examples, they are real ones from tv commercials.

Those literal translations

In a car advert, of a certain brand, it’s said: “You can try it por 15 días”, which is a literal translation of “for 15 days”, instead of the proper translation “durante 15 días”.

Note: This translation, from the view of Spanish norm and its use, it is incorrect, and unusual for a native from Spain. It is a typical case of literal, without care, quick-made translation, used more in spoken language and kind of espanglish. You can see this in more detail if you subscribe to the Editing with Care periodical newsletter… https://www.editingwithcare.com/en/#boletin

Although languages evolve and adapt to new terms and uses, we should be mindful of the language we use. Besides, and what is more important, we should be aware of the good manners transmitted subconsciously through media, as is the case of the following advert.

Please… Thank you!

In an advert of home alarms, the person attending the phone says kindly to the person who made the phone call, “Don’t worry, a technician is going to be sent right away to your place to install it.” and the answer is, “Ah perfect!” and hangs up… fine and … where is the “Thank you”❓😐

Commercials, since they are direct window displays, should collaborate with the good manners of the large public watching and hearing (sometimes listening) daily. Please, make it your aim not only to sell but also to cooperate with the politeness of the public.

Do… practice

Another example of being careless and lazy with language comes in the form of expressions I hear and read like do yoga, and I wonder, with such an ample vocabulary and richness a language has, why don’t we use a different verb than to “do”? What about practise yoga? Doesn’t it sound better and more adequate to refer to this activity?

As well as other activities which imply a practise, like practise Reiki, Judo, Taiichi, Chi kung, etc., unless the activity has its own verb, like run, or has its own expression like play tennis or basketball, etc.

It is basically a question of paying a little bit more attention, a little bit more care, because all of our acts reflect in every area of our life. No matter if you are an entrepreneur or you are a parent; either you have a job or you stay at home… your children are going to repeat what they see and hear at home, therefore make sure what they see and hear feeds them in a correct, varied and polite way.

To conclude…

If you are conscious of what you have just read, you will appreciate that writing is an act which implies being didactic too, therefore watch what you write, and what you say too.

And now I ask you, are you going to be more careful with your words considering their enormous influence? The difference is substantial, and the repercussion much bigger than it seems.

If you are interested in the importance of editing, here you can read the article I wrote on editing texts…

https://www.editingwithcare.com/en/this-is-how-i-edit-your-texts/

Come on, I’ll be waiting for your comments 😉

Ops, the abundance goddess