paul mundy dutch english how to avoid dunglish

Paul Mundy www.mamud.com

Dutch English

How to avoid Dunglish


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.


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


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.


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…)


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.


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.


False friends

Eventueel = Possible, any Uiteindelijk = Eventual Slip = Pants (UK), underpants (US) Onderrok = Petticoat, slip


Do you really mean…?

Concept = Draft (eg report) Agenda = Diary Map = Folder


Mispeling

Adress Agresive Anorganic Anonymus Desinfect Dito Ministery Quotum Transparant Visum

Address Aggressive Inorganic Anonymous Disinfect Ditto Ministry Quota Transparent Visa


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.


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)


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


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!”’


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


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.


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.


Alltogether

Anymore Any more Never theless Nevertheless Worldbank World Bank


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.


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.


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.


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.


Text layout

1st para-graph after heading not indented

Alinea

Tekstblok

Tekstblok

Other paragraphs indented

Dutch English

Gap


Source

Burrough-Boenisch, Joy. 2004. Righting English that’s gone Dutch. Kemper Conseil Publishing, Voorburg. www.kemperconseil.com

paul mundy dutch english how to avoid dunglish

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