There is a reason for using long words when writing in a foreign language,
although I do not know whether it is relevant to native Chinese-speakers.
Long words are often easier to learn in a foreign language because they fit
in a pattern of cognates. This is especially true for words based on Latin
since there are cognates in so many European tongues. Once you encounter the
various patterns it is easy to guess at how to translate "occupation" into
French, Italian Spanish or Portuguese, but coming up with short words
equivalent to "job" takes more effort.
Bill Silvert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cara Lin Bridgman" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: domingo, 17 de Janeiro de 2010 10:16
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] now I've seen it all
Orwell, via Jane Shevsov, makes excellent points. These are points I keep
trying to make to my students who are Taiwanese, but have to write papers
in English. An aunt of mine, who teaches writing classes to American
college students has noticed a tendency to use long words when there are
plenty of short words that are as good or better.
