Talk:Maximilian I of Bavaria

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[edit] Fusty Old Encyclo-Talk

I was wondering; does anyone mind me modernizing and simplifying the style of some parts of this article? It strikes me that the style is dusty, Victorian, and far too formal for an encyclopedia of the 21st century. For example:

"The sympathy with France and with French ideas of enlightenment which characterized his reign was at once manifested."

This could read:

"His sympathy with France and his French Enlightenment ideals were immediately obvious, and they remained important throughout his reign."

You get the idea. I prefer clearer, simpler, less tortured syntax, even if it means making the sentence a bit longer.

--Qole 18:33, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Why not "He at once manifested a sympathy with France and with French Enlightenment ideas which was to characterize his reign" ? That's clearer syntax and not too long. And it preserves the sense of the original better, I think. But if you want to rewrite, go ahead. Most articles based on the 1911 should probably be rewritten. john k 20:16, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

You're right. "He at once manifested a sympathy" is exactly the way people talk today! Your comment does not seem to manifest much sympathy for my suggestion; in fact, it is characterized by a subtle antipathy to the idea that I considered enlightened. --Qole 16:59, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

Why should an encyclopedia article be written the way people talk? At least in my sentence the subject and verb agreed and it wasn't written in the passive voice. john k 15:54, 5 December 2006 (UTC)