Re: register true origins (was Re: [libreoffice-users] inserting (exactly) a line before a paragraph using styles)

On Tue, 7 Aug 2012, Mirosław Zalewski wrote:

> On 07/08/2012 at 07:37, Felmon Davis <davisf@union.edu> wrote:
>
> > perhaps also Miroslav could cite a book or two; don't see what 
> > difference it makes if the books are in Polish. if Missouri is the 
> > 'show-me' state, does that require translation into Missourian?
>
> Can you, without help of translation software, tell which one is about 
> register?

no.

> 1. Części książki zawierające informacje o dziele i autorze lub stanowiące 
> wypowiedź autora związaną z książką.
> 2. Zgodność padania na siebie wierszy kolumn wydrukowanych po przeciwnych 
> stronach arkusza.
> 3. Nawiasy okrągłe stosowane są przez autora danego tekstu do oznaczania 
> alternatywnych sformułowań tekstu głównego.
> (They are all excerpts from the same book, "Typografia typowej książki" by 
> Robert Chwałowski.)
>
> It is safer to assume that most of readers here do not understand Polish. If I 
> write something in language that other people in this thread do not 
> understand, then this message is not proving anything. I could as well write 
> recipe for apple pie and other people will be unable to tell the difference.

I find this an absurd criterion of proof. there are plenty of proofs 
of things I do not understand, for instance in math physics or fluid 
dynamics, but that doesn't imply they are not proofs!

to access them I would need yrs of training. to access a text in 
Polish I need a friend or colleague (or software), a lot easier. or I 
can just take your word for it.

> The same goes for your quote in German. Let's assume that I do not know word 
> "register" and think it is not understandable and should be changed. I read 
> your post, which contain proof in German with "rough and very abbreviated" 
> translation. How can I be sure that this translation is accurate? If I do not 
> understand German, I have no idea what is written there. I must depend solely 
> on your translation.
>
> And *you* are trying to convince me! How can I be sure that you are 
> not lying just to prove your point?

that's pretty cynical. though St Paul wrote that a fellow from Crete 
told him all Cretans are liars!

> (Personally I hope you do not, but again - this is only assumption 
> that may be wrong.)

anyone with a little savvy or some friends can check the translation. 
and it is exceedingly unlikely you would be lying, it is more likely 
there is confusion about the question. I am quite prepared to take 
your word and I see no reason to think we are talking about different 
things.

> If we are trying to convince someone (as in this case), then we must do our 
> best to provide arguments that are understood. It is crucial that each side 
> can independently verify accuracy of arguments. Otherwise, our debate partner 
> will have to believe us. And faith is not a proof.

understood and agreed. and our interlocutors must sometimes be willing 
to do a little work if they are uncertain of our veracity or accuracy.

sorry to be so longwinded, and we should be wary of 'thread drift'.

F.

> --
> Best regards
> Mirosław Zalewski
>
> --
> For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+help@global.libreoffice.org
> Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/
> Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette
> List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/
> All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted

--
Felmon Davis
Union College - Schenectady, NY

This was the most unkindest cut of all.
                -- William Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar"

--
For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+help@global.libreoffice.org
Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/
Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette
List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/
All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted