Paul Mundy www.mamud.com Dutch English How to avoid Dunglish
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Dutch English
How to avoid Dunglish
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Bracket (ab)use
Dutch uses ( ) to compact alternatives m.u.v (brom)fietsen No (motor)cycles No cycles or motorcycles
Religion determines which food is (not) eaten. Religion determines which food is eaten and which is
not.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Bracket (ab)use
The use of (hired) tractors has risen. The use of all tractors, including hired ones, has risen.
A long drought can eliminate (the seedbank of) annual grasses.
A long drought can eliminate annual grasses and their seed bank
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Bracket (ab)use
English uses brackets around information of secondary importance that… Explains
Several Austrian brewers moved to Italy, including Franz Wührer (who moved from Salzburg to Brescia in 1829) and Anton Dreher (Vienna to Trieste, 1870).
Clarifies The US government has a $17.4 billion emergency-loan
package ($13.4 billion for General Motors, $4 billion for Chrysler).
Comments Mr Obama has given Mr Henderson 60 days (and sufficient
working capital) to drive through these changes.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
False friends
The insurance will pay for eventual damage. The insurance will pay for any damage.
He said he would solve the problem, eventually with an expert’s help.
He said he would solve the problem, if necessary with an expert’s help. (or perhaps with…)
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
False friends
The institute is actually running a project. The institute is currently running a project. (or
leave it out)
We need a consequent environmental policy. We need a consistent environmental policy.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
False friends
Many immigrants have arrived in the last decades. Many immigrants have arrived in recent decades. Many immigrants have arrived in the last 30 years.
He has been here for half a year. He has been here for six months.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
False friends
Eventueel = Possible, any Uiteindelijk = Eventual Slip = Pants (UK), underpants (US) Onderrok = Petticoat, slip
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Do you really mean…?
Concept = Draft (eg report) Agenda = Diary Map = Folder
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Mispeling
Adress Agresive Anorganic Anonymus Desinfect Dito Ministery Quotum Transparant Visum
Address Aggressive Inorganic Anonymous Disinfect Ditto Ministry Quota Transparent Visa
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Mispeling
It took longer then expected. It took longer than expected.
The governor gave her commends. The governor made some comments.
Local people belief it, but scientists have no prove. Local people believe it, but scientists have no proof.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Commas and points
She speaks Dutch, English, and French. She speaks Dutch, English and French.
A fee of €300,- A fee of €300
$125,00 $125.50
1. April 2009 1 April 2009 (UK)April 1, 2009 (US)
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
About ± and plural’s
There were ± 50 patients in the clinic. There were about 50 patients in the clinic.
Or ca. 50, or approximately 50
Taxi’s Taxis
Baby’sBabies
Visa Visas
Fora Forums
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
66 and 99
„Yes we can!” Dutch «Yes we can!» French “Yes we can!” English (mainly US) ‘Yes we can!’ English (UK)
He said, “Obama’s slogan is ‘Yes we can!’” He said, ‘Obama’s slogan is “Yes we can!”’
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Abbrev.
c.q. e.a. f.e. f.i. i.c. a.o., o.a.
or and others, et al. for example, e.g. for instance in the case of among others,
among other things
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Prepositions
Welcome in Amsterdam. Welcome to Amsterdam.
The research aimed to get more insight in the issue. The research aimed to gain insight into the issue.
The discussion over the problem was inconclusive. The discussion about the problem was inconclusive.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Tenses
Since 3000 years people live here. People have lived here for 3000 years. People have lived here since 3000 years ago.
1 m people are being employed in fishing. 1 m people are employed in fishing.
The approach is developed by KIT. The approach is being developed by KIT. The approach was developed by KIT.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Alltogether
Anymore Any more Never theless Nevertheless Worldbank World Bank
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Frontal overload
Especially in the social sciences, a clear bias can be observed in the development of models.
A clear bias can be observed in the development of models, especially in the social sciences.
Especially its simplicity appealed to her. It was its simplicity that especially appealed to her. What especially appealed to her was its simplicity.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Choppiness
Models are deliberate approximations of the real world. Models can be seen as a concise and useful representation of scientific knowledge.
Models are deliberate approximations of the real world. They can be seen as a concise and useful representation of scientific knowledge.
Models are deliberate approximations of the real world that can be seen as a concise and useful representation of scientific knowledge.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Choppiness
Tropical rain forests are among the most species-rich ecosystems of the world. They are a habitat for people and wildlife as well as a vital source of livelihood for indigenous people. The future existence of this unique ecosystem is under severe pressure by socio-economic developments.The disappearance of tropical forests leads to irreversible loss of biological diversity and natural resources.
Tropical rainforests are among the most species-rich ecosystems in the world. These unique ecosystems provide habitats for people and wildlife and are a vital source of livelihood for indigenous people. But socio-economic development is threatening their survival. If these forests do disappear, the loss of biological diversity and natural resources will be irreversible.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
More choppiness
Rescue dogs are often specially trained. They work in areas where a bomb or earthquake has buried people in debris. Their job is to locate where persons are buried. Rescuers can then dig the people out. The dogs must guide the rescuers to the spot and be willing to sit and bark until help comes.
Rescue dogs are often specially trained to work in areas where a bomb or earthquake has buried people in debris. Their job is to locate where persons are buried, so rescuers can then dig them out. Since these dogs must guide the rescuers to the spot, they must be willing to sit and bark until help comes.
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Text layout
1st para-graph after heading not indented
Alinea
Tekstblok
Tekstblok
Other paragraphs indented
Dutch English
Gap
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Source
Burrough-Boenisch, Joy. 2004. Righting English that’s gone Dutch. Kemper Conseil Publishing, Voorburg. www.kemperconseil.com