I wrote last week:
One of the most difficult writing tasks I find myself undertaking is writing for non-native speakers.
I have to avoid complex sentence structures, unusual words, and obscure idioms; and all the while I have to sound like I am not speaking down to the reader. Very difficult.
Amongst the most difficult things to write for a non-native speakers (AE or BE) are jokes. Even if the reader understands all the words, they often don’t “get” the joke.
So this is an exercise on my part. I will write out a joke with the intention of reaching the non-native English speakers. If you fit in that category, please comment.
I am making things a bit easier for myself. I have selected a joke that does not rely on word-play or a pun. Here goes:
I heard this joke on National Public Radio (NPR); I am working from memory but I think I can pull this off.
A press release from the U.S. Forestry service:
There have been several confrontations between grizzly bears and campers lately with disastrous consequences.
It is recommended that campers take precautions when camping in bear country.
First, it is important that you never startle a grizzly bear. For that reason it is recommended that you wear small bells on your wrists to let the bears know in advance that you are nearby.
Second, keep some pepper spray on hand. If an attack is imminent, spray the pepper gas in the bear's eyes. This will temporarily blind the bear and allow for your escape.
Additionally campers should know the signs of bears in the area. If you see tree bark scratched of of the sides of trees above 6 feet, you can be sure that there are bears nearby.
Campers should learn to differentiate between droppings from black or brown bears (who rarely attack) and grizzlies which will attack humans.
The droppings from brown or black bears will be smaller and darker than the ones from grizzlies. They will frequently have small wild berries in them.
The droppings from grizzlies, on the other hand, are larger and lighter in color and frequently have small bells and smell like pepper.
(For those who are not certain that they "get" this joke, an explanation is provided here: http://forum.wordreference.com/private.php?do=showpm&pmid=816859)
Please comment on ways that I could improve the writing to non-native speakers.
One of the most difficult writing tasks I find myself undertaking is writing for non-native speakers.
I have to avoid complex sentence structures, unusual words, and obscure idioms; and all the while I have to sound like I am not speaking down to the reader. Very difficult.
Amongst the most difficult things to write for a non-native speakers (AE or BE) are jokes. Even if the reader understands all the words, they often don’t “get” the joke.
So this is an exercise on my part. I will write out a joke with the intention of reaching the non-native English speakers. If you fit in that category, please comment.
I am making things a bit easier for myself. I have selected a joke that does not rely on word-play or a pun. Here goes:
I heard this joke on National Public Radio (NPR); I am working from memory but I think I can pull this off.
A press release from the U.S. Forestry service:
There have been several confrontations between grizzly bears and campers lately with disastrous consequences.
It is recommended that campers take precautions when camping in bear country.
First, it is important that you never startle a grizzly bear. For that reason it is recommended that you wear small bells on your wrists to let the bears know in advance that you are nearby.
Second, keep some pepper spray on hand. If an attack is imminent, spray the pepper gas in the bear's eyes. This will temporarily blind the bear and allow for your escape.
Additionally campers should know the signs of bears in the area. If you see tree bark scratched of of the sides of trees above 6 feet, you can be sure that there are bears nearby.
Campers should learn to differentiate between droppings from black or brown bears (who rarely attack) and grizzlies which will attack humans.
The droppings from brown or black bears will be smaller and darker than the ones from grizzlies. They will frequently have small wild berries in them.
The droppings from grizzlies, on the other hand, are larger and lighter in color and frequently have small bells and smell like pepper.
(For those who are not certain that they "get" this joke, an explanation is provided here: http://forum.wordreference.com/private.php?do=showpm&pmid=816859)
Please comment on ways that I could improve the writing to non-native speakers.