Summary: I look at the phrase 'strike a balance' in different languages, and rewrite some wikipedia text on accessibility.
I found in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jargon#Accessibility_issues === There is a balance to be struck, as excessive removal of technical terminology from a document leads to an equally undesirable outcome—dumbing down. === Aside: Found while writing https://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-ideas/2018-August/052819.html. I wondered how the phrase 'strike a balance' would translate into other languages (which is an accessibility issue). Using google translate I did round-tripping and other loops. (Simply curiosity driven, no agenda.) === en: strike a balance fr: trouver un équilibre en: find a balance de: finde ein Gleichgewicht arabic: العثور على التوازن en: Find balance fi: Etsi tasapaino en: Find the balance de: Finde das Gleichgewicht === en: strike a balance al: të krijojë një ekuilibër en: create a balance basque: oreka sortu en: create balance === >From this I found that 'balance' was the key to the phrase. And that the verb could variously be 'strike', 'find' or 'create'. There may be other verbs. The work 'strike' by itself often means 'stoppage' or 'industrial action'. Is this a hazard? So what's good, when English is the reader's second (or third) language? Surely, here, it's best not to use the word 'strike'. (In English 'strike out' means 'remove', not 'find'.) To try this out, let's rewrite: === There is a balance to be struck, as excessive removal of technical terminology from a document leads to an equally undesirable outcome—dumbing down. == How about === There is a balance to be found [or made] ... === Or we could use 'balance' as a verb (rather than as a noun). === It can be hard to balance removal of technical terminology against retaining essential meaning. === Or even not use the word 'balance' === Harmony between removal of technical terminology and retaining essential meaning can be hard. === Which is the best way to write the sentence, for a second-language English speaker? English is my first (and by far best) language. So I lack the experience, to make a good judgement. However, as an English speaker, I prefer the last > Harmony between removal of technical terminology and retaining essential meaning can be hard. By the way: the rewriting has changed the meaning. For this, how about > Removal of technical terminology may also remove essential meaning. -- Jonathan
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