Literator (Apr 2000)
Taalversorging - teoreties gefundeer in die taalpraktyk?
Abstract
Language editing - theoretically grounded in language practice? This article focuses on the possibility of formulating a theory of language editing. Research indicates that language editing in practice is sometimes undertaken on a random basis. People tend to think that language editing comes naturally once a person has completed a language course. This is of course not true. Language editing should be implemented on a sound theoretical basis embedded in a strong linguistic framework. This theoretical grounding is based on a thorough knowledge and implementation of linguistic sub-disciplines: a command of language (linguistic competence), text linguistics and normative grammar. These three linguistic sub-disciplines form an integrated basis for a sound theoretical viewpoint on language editing. Furthermore, the term “language editing” is inadequate to describe the editing process as a whole. Language editing should not be simply seen as the correction of language errors, but rather as a complete editing (copy-editing) of the text.
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