Tech Writer News (Elephant)

Tech Writer News (Elephant)Israeli Technical Writer NewsNetdochttp://elephant.org.il/Resilience Tip - Statement Questionshttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_statement_questions.htmlEver notice how sometimes people ask a question when they really do not have a question? Recently I approached an office building where the gate at the entrance booth was open. I pulled up past the gate to the window where the guard was sitting, and opened my window to say where I was headed. The guard asked: “Why did you pull up past the gate?” I attempted to answer. However, as the guard repeated the question, I noticed a slightly annoyed and slightly frustrated feeling growing inside me.<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_statement_questions.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:58:00 +0200bd3018ea07684c02a40d940f06c866d7http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_statement_questions.htmlResilienceTranslatable But Debatable - L'havdilhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_lhavdil.htmlI don’t find many dictionary definitions of להבדיל. Dov Ben Abba’s dictionary in Signet paperback says “not to be mentioned together,” which makes sense — or at least reasonable partial sense, since whenever we say להבדיל we are indeed mentioning things together, while simultaneously we point out that they are not to be compared except in the narrow sense that we intend. <p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_lhavdil.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:20:37 +02003ac08fdeccd4f5c94d22ce69d64b6159http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_lhavdil.htmlTranslatable but DebatableTranslatable but Debatable - פירגון (Firgun)http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_(firgun).htmlA contributor to <a href="http://betterthanenglish.com/firgun-hebrew/">“Better than English”</a> writes that פירגון is “An act of saying nice things or doing nice things to another person without any other purpose, but to make the other feel good about what he is or what he does” but another contributor responds that “It can also be to share the credit with someone or not try to stab them in the back. Not to be jealous of someone’s accomplishments.”<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_(firgun).html">Read more...</a></p>“Better than English” writes that פירגון is “An act of saying nice things or doing nice things to another person without any other purpose, but to make the other feel good about what he is or what he does” but another contributor responds that “It can also be to share the credit with someone or not try to stab them in the back. Not to be jealous of someone’s accomplishments.”

]]>Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:18:20 +0200eacc21eb4fa031dbdf5deff8c988007bhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_(firgun).htmlTranslatable but DebatableResilience Tip - Confusion's Beautyhttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_confusion's_beauty.html“I’m confused”, clients have said with a look of dismay. “Great!” I say. “That is the first step toward new thinking.” We humans use routine thinking for routine situations. We compartmentalize incoming data to help us manage the vast amounts of information coming our way. Hmm, seat, back, some legs – goes into our “chair” compartment of our thinking, and then we can move on to another thought<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_confusion's_beauty.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:31:00 +02005c60030d2aff2216ddad3292db4c4f43http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_confusion's_beauty.htmlResilienceTranslatable But Debatable - געגועיםhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_gaaguim.htmlNostalgia may be wistfully reflective but is not painfully sad the way געגועים can be. Are we ever said to be <i>nostalgic</i> over people anyway? Times and places for sure, but individual people? I don’t know. Maybe public figures. <p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_gaaguim.html">Read more...</a></p>nostalgic over people anyway? Times and places for sure, but individual people? I don’t know. Maybe public figures.

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]]>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:03:18 +0200305185807b36f210f59bd23d1dd8f9b6http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_gaaguim.htmlTranslatable but DebatableTranslatable But Debatable - Some Hebrew Postnominalshttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_some_hebrew_postnominals.htmlHow can we render ז"ל into English? English does provide us with an abbreviation, RIP, and I would feel free to use it in a translation, but only in a translation that does not have to read smoothly in English. In English, the abbreviation RIP is not a common expression to see in running text, and in our day it verges on facetious. <p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_some_hebrew_postnominals.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 06:00:00 +02005b80583188b96c6016b362d8aa2fee5bhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_some_hebrew_postnominals.htmlTranslatable but DebatableResilience Tip - Judgment, Decision-Making, and Compassionhttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_judgment,_decision-making,_and_compassion.htmlThere is an important distinction when we judge people, versus judging objects or ideas. Judging a person’s qualifications or behaviors can appropriately guide us toward fitting actions. Regarding a person or a person’s character, it may be more helpful, and more resilient, to focus on compassion and on making decisions rather than judgments.<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_judgment,_decision-making,_and_compassion.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:45:00 +02004acc37b742fc4f3c62d3f68b2189985bhttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_judgment,_decision-making,_and_compassion.htmlResilienceObservations on Design and Illustration #4: Design Elements and Principalshttp://elephant.org.il/design/observations_on_design_and_illustration_4:_design_elements_an.html<b>Design Pet Peeve #4: Unreadable text</b>. Can’t find that shop? Can’t read what’s on that jar? How many signs or labels around the world do you know that are unreadable or confusing for one reason or another? I know a lot.<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/design/observations_on_design_and_illustration_4:_design_elements_an.html">Read more...</a></p>Design Pet Peeve #4: Unreadable text. Can’t find that shop? Can’t read what’s on that jar? How many signs or labels around the world do you know that are unreadable or confusing for one reason or another? I know a lot.

]]>Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:43:58 +0200cdc41830d6ae4d91358bd66452cb6f2ehttp://elephant.org.il/design/observations_on_design_and_illustration_4:_design_elements_an.htmlDesignTranslatable but Debatable - קול קוראhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_kol_koreh.htmlWhen a person or a movement presents its principles and encourages the government in particular and the nation in general to recognize their validity, what it has written is a <i>manifesto.</i> Unfortunately, readers of English are strongly accustomed to seeing the word <i>manifesto</i> preceded by <i>Communist.</i> And if it isn’t <i>Communist,</i> it’s <i>Unabomber. </i><p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_kol_koreh.html">Read more...</a></p>manifesto. Unfortunately, readers of English are strongly accustomed to seeing the word manifesto preceded by Communist. And if it isn’t Communist, it’s Unabomber.

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]]>Sun, 18 Sep 2011 03:31:04 +03002af90e4aacbf9d9f3207755e610ff306http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_kol_koreh.htmlTranslatable but DebatableTranslatable But Debatable - Zimunhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_zimun.htmlThe word הזמנה is the one that corresponds better to <i>invitation.</i> It’s a notice saying that you will be welcome at the specified place at the specified time, but unlike זימון it implies you are free to never show up. A זימון may be open to negotiation, but it does not want, and it does not expect, to be disregarded. <p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_zimun.html">Read more...</a></p>invitation. It’s a notice saying that you will be welcome at the specified place at the specified time, but unlike זימון it implies you are free to never show up. A זימון may be open to negotiation, but it does not want, and it does not expect, to be disregarded.

]]>Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:00 +0300fb342a826fff28a214654c06260f06bchttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_zimun.htmlTranslatable but DebatableResilience Tip - Truth and Facthttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_truth_and_fact.html“My truth is not fact.” a client recently declared to me. It was a magical moment of insight. <p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_truth_and_fact.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:04:00 +0300bef754e3994d23f587450399b75bb95chttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_truth_and_fact.htmlResilienceTranslatable But Debatable - Too Hebrew, or English enoughhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_too_hebrew_or_english_enough.htmlThere was a spate of commentary explaining that terrorism is a nuisance but not an existential threat to Israel. Before that, I’d heard only about existentialism. So an existential threat to Israel sounded like a streetful of French intellectuals campaigning to cut off our supply of brie. <p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_too_hebrew_or_english_enough.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:30:00 +0300b5b9cd74602a8c4d18c91bf125d2584fhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_too_hebrew_or_english_enough.htmlTranslatable but DebatableResilience Tip - Flexible Thinkinghttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_flexible_thinking.htmlFlexible thinking is a characteristic of high-level resilience. This is the ability to consider multiple perspectives, to consider different possible understandings of a situation or problem, as well as resulting different possibilities for action. Flexible thinking gives us greater choice and so a greater sense of control, contributing to an increased sense of psychological well-being.<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_flexible_thinking.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:30:00 +030066ab3416308ea93eeb0ecc780c0b20f8http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_flexible_thinking.htmlResilienceTranslatable But Debatable - Minimizing Exposurehttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_minimizing_exposure_20110618.htmlBoth חשיפה and exposure are odd concepts in that they are not necessarily affected much by a reversal of directionality. For example, if a rabbi exposes his sense of humor to his students, he has also exposed his students to his sense of humor and the phrasings differ little in their meaning. I suppose the difference is in a choice of emphasis: on the thing that has previously remained in concealment, or on the people who have previously remained unaware.<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_minimizing_exposure_20110618.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Sat, 18 Jun 2011 03:59:00 +03003336f8c7c8e0b014b153464345ff7c2ehttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_minimizing_exposure_20110618.htmlTranslatable but DebatableResilience Tip - Hidden Opportunitieshttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_hidden_opportunities.htmlStuff happens that we wish hadn’t. Little stuff goes wrong, bigger stuff goes wrong, tragic stuff happens. At that moment it is hard to imagine a blessing in the situation. And, we can likely think of examples where there did turn out to be a blessing. Taking a job to ensure financial stability vs. following your dream, and realizing the job gives the exact training missing to achieve the dream. Being forced out of a comfortable apartment and finding the apartment that actually fits all your needs. Your place of employment closing<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_hidden_opportunities.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Mon, 23 May 2011 14:57:00 +030089d30cf0f47da8b295c4ee73cb61cdb3http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_hidden_opportunities.htmlResilienceTranslatable But Debatable - Tofa'ahhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_tofaah.htmlIn English, the word <i>phenomenon</i> is claimed both by scientists who consider that, as in Greek, it means anything that has come into view, and by circus ringmasters who like to reserve it for things they would call phenomenal, while the rest of us are caught in between. Nachama Kanner wrote in asking about those cases where <i>phenomenon</i> doesn’t quite work as a translation for תופעה.<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_tofaah.html">Read more...</a></p>phenomenon is claimed both by scientists who consider that, as in Greek, it means anything that has come into view, and by circus ringmasters who like to reserve it for things they would call phenomenal, while the rest of us are caught in between. Nachama Kanner wrote in asking about those cases where phenomenon doesn’t quite work as a translation for תופעה.

]]>Wed, 18 May 2011 08:00:00 +030018ae19d6ce1276bfeb58251fdf83d8c7http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_tofaah.htmlTranslatable but DebatableTranslatable But Debatable - Livui ליוויhttp://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_livui.htmlWhat is the general term that would fit a guy whose function involves no hands-on participation, no hiring, firing, budget-making, imposition of schedules, or issuance of commands, and no PowerPoint presentations, but who nonetheless is supposed to be listened to seriously because he knows the stuff? <p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_livui.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Mon, 18 Apr 2011 06:00:00 +030073271885f1165ab6017c578bf542b592http://elephant.org.il/translate/translatable_but_debatable_livui.htmlTranslatable but DebatableObservations on Design and Illustration #3: Design Considerations and the Process.http://elephant.org.il/design/observations_on_design_and_illustration_3:_design_considerati.htmlDesign and place human-scale objects taking into account the largest number of potential users with the widest range of physical abilities; in other words, to design universally. Design Considerations. Questions to ask while developing designs for any two- or three-dimensional purpose. Not all necessarily apply to all designs. The most important consideration from the beginning of the design process is the ultimate outcome of the design, the end-user, and their interaction with one-another. The Design Process. A generic guide that can be adapted for use through any design development. <p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/design/observations_on_design_and_illustration_3:_design_considerati.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 22:29:40 +03004b1471adfda97efe0f879f55d99eeec5http://elephant.org.il/design/observations_on_design_and_illustration_3:_design_considerati.htmlDesignResilience Tip - Holiday Expectationshttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_holiday_expectations.htmlExpectations - the difference between a good holiday with family and the “get me out of here as quick as possible” experience. The gap between what we expect to happen and what actually happens is what creates disappointment. And disappointment can hugely affect our mood and overall experience of the holiday. “But you do not know my family”, I can already hear you saying. “Mine is the family from hell.” In fact I have heard many stories about the family from hell. <p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_holiday_expectations.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:14:00 +0300a6786ba995d65fc6df3b4d0419b3e6e3http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_holiday_expectations.htmlResilienceResilience Tip - Not All About Contenthttp://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_not_all_about_content.htmlMany of my tips have an emphasis on widening or shifting perceptions of an issue, putting the issue in a framework that is more easily amenable to problem-solving. Having a problem-solving focus is a characteristic of high-level resilience. By understanding the issue better, by being more flexible in how we perceive and relate to the information involved in the issue, we can more effectively problem-solve the issue. One place where people continue to feel stuck, despite becoming skilled in the above, is when the content is not the issue. This is where<p><a href="http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_not_all_about_content.html">Read more...</a></p>Read more...

]]>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:57:00 +0200583a929ae434f9c9e2d3933c82b8d633http://elephant.org.il/pdc/resilience/resilience_tip_not_all_about_content.htmlResilience