Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2007 January 20

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[edit] January 20

[edit] with or without the?

ISO standards: 'The ISO 1201 states that...' or 'ISO 1201 states that...'? Why? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Raggiante (talk • contribs) 13:51, 20 January 2007 (UTC).

Without. The definite article is not necessary before book or film titles, because it serves no purpose, unless of course it's already part of the title, as with The Bible, The Guiness Book of Records, etc.--Shantavira 19:49, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
Every time I've seen ISO standards referenced, it's always been in the form "ISO 1201 states ...".--Prosfilaes 15:24, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Arabic/english & English/Arabic Translation Forum

please i search too much on internet but i look for Arabic/english & english/arabic text translation forum —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 195.229.241.180 (talk) 16:29, 20 January 2007 (UTC).

It's hard to do Internet text translation with Arabic, but [here http://qamoose.arabeyes.org/] is something with very basic results. Adam Bishop 17:11, 22 January 2007 (UTC)
If you're seeking a listserv e-mailing list or online discussion forum for practicing translators - you might try searching in Yahoo!Groups. Also, try searching or posting your query on the websites of large international organizations of translators and interpreters, such as the Europe-based International Federation of Translators or the American Translators Association. If you'd like me to post your query on an Israeli translation forum that includes Arabic-English translators, provide me with your contact information on my User talk page. -- Hope this helps, and good luck! Deborahjay 10:21, 3 February 2007 (UTC)
Google has a rudimentary language translation service http://www.google.com/language_tools--Mahmud mohamed 03:59, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Highly polished elocution

How do I improve my impromptu speech to print-ready quality? (Joseph Campbell in the Power of Myth) Are there any good books?

66.91.225.188 16:42, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

Read, learn, practice and think before you speak... 惑乱 分からん 17:36, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
I'm not sure how elocution is relevant to "print-quality". I doubt whether anyone can speak "print-ready" quality, but as a book editor, the "print-ready" standard I have in mind is perhaps already quite high. Even the best writers need editors, and that's after they've already had time to rewrite and refine their prose. Having said that, learning to think clearly and logically would be a good start. Have a look at books on public speaking.--Shantavira 19:55, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
Yamamoto Tsunetomo says that if you correct yourself whenever you have mis-spoken, your mistakes will soon disappear. Vranak