Navigating the Nuances of English. - Jan. 19, 2024.

"Your English seems directly translated from Japanese," said my professor as he offered me extensive advice for revision. I was confident that my English writing had improved, yet his words suggested I needed more experience. His feedback, along with the additional corrections I received from Grammarly's native check on my revised manuscript, opened my eyes to the vast ocean of linguistic nuances I had yet to explore. This humbling experience emphasized the complexities of mastering a language and reminded me that there's always more to learn and room to grow, even in areas where we feel most confident.

The proverb "A frog in a well knows nothing of the great ocean" resonates with my feelings. Haha. My professor advised me to read more English books and papers to improve my writing skills, as I struggled to distinguish between synonyms. He stressed the importance of understanding the deeper meanings of words. The difference between “keep” and “remain,” for instance, illustrates this point. In Japanese, both can be translated as “続く,” but they have distinct meanings in English.

Also, paraphrasing from Japanese to English is crucial because Japanese-like English often comes across as redundant. Here's an example from my thesis:

me: It also notes that Joe, Jerry, and Jeanette experience a less sense of community belonging outside their family unit in Great Falls, leading to isolation.

revised: It also notes that Joe, Jerry, and Jeanette feel rootless and isolated in the community of Great Falls.

by toki。

My writing style closely mirrors Japanese. Haha. I need to focus on the essence of my sentences and find simpler ways to express them in English.

Anyway, the deadline for my thesis is today at 5 p.m., so I will print it and submit it to my school's office. I have to hand it over to the second-reader professors. My professor mentioned that I could replace my thesis with an improved English version before submitting it to them. Therefore, I will submit a temporary version. Haha.