Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.

The following piece (1) is a comment of mine posted on Area51 site, and I'm wondering if my phrasing has a proper British or American writing style or if the Google translate (2) has a better one.

(1)
I only note that the Chinese language is an interesting exception, since in the last few years its study has become a relevant curricular activity: that circumstance explains the success of that proposal. But, alas, we cannot say the same for Italian language and culture, which are interested by an unstoppable decadence, culminating just today in the new statistical projections done by UNSCR.

(2)
I must just add that the Chinese language is an interesting exception because in recent years its study has become an important curricular activity, a fact which explains the success of the proposal. But, unfortunately, we can not say the same for the Italian language and culture, which are affected by an inexorable decline, culminating today in the new statistical projections done by UNSCR.

Comparing (1) and (2), can anybody explain?

I have noticed the following important differences:

(a) ... exception, since in the last few years ... | exception because in recent years ...

(b) ... that circumstance explains ... | ... a fact which explains ...

(c) ... alas ... | ... unfortunately ...

(d) ... interested by an unstoppable decadence ... | ... affected by an inexorable decline ...

Source text
Devo giusto aggiungere che la lingua Cinese rappresenta un'interessante eccezione perché negli ultimi anni il suo studio è diventato una rilevante attività curriculare, circostanza che spiega il successo della proposta. Ma, purtroppo, non possiamo dire altrettanto per la lingua e la cultura italiana, le quali sono interessate da un inarrestabile decadenza, culminata proprio oggi nelle nuove proiezioni statistiche dell'UNSCR

share|improve this question
1  
Fragrance? Do you mean an English flavor? – Kristina Lopez Oct 23 '12 at 23:32
1  
We say "whiff" or "flavour", rather than "fragrance". You must say the Chinese/Italian language. "language and culture" are "interested". This use of "interested" is opaque to me. If it is "decadence" which found its culmination today, you should use ",culminating" or ",which culminated"; if "language and culture", "which ... decadence" must be set off with commas. – StoneyB Oct 23 '12 at 23:36
6  
I'm sorry, but how is this not a proofreading request, and thus off-topic? – Marthaª Oct 23 '12 at 23:58
"...we cannot say the same for Italian language and culture which is interested by an unstoppable decadence culminate just today in the new statistic projections done by UNSCR." => "... we cannot say the same for the Italian language and culture, which is interesting because of an unstoppable decadence that culminated just today in the new statistical projections done for United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) #????." – Bill Franke Oct 24 '12 at 0:20
It's written in English, right? So it undeniably has something to do with English. Are you interested in if it is more British than American? – Mitch Oct 24 '12 at 0:37
show 1 more comment

closed as off topic by Marthaª, tchrist, Mahnax, Mitch, MετάEd Oct 24 '12 at 0:53

Questions on English Language & Usage Stack Exchange are expected to relate to English language and usage within the scope defined in the FAQ. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about closed questions here.

1 Answer

No particular English flavor but an aroma redolent of the many pot-luck dinner-tables I've had the good fortune to eat at since my young adulthood.

There are too many slightly misused words to give it any flavor but that of an educated non-native speaker imitating the academic prose of newspaper and economic journal editorialistas.

I only note that Chinese language is an interesting exception, since in the last few years the study of this language has become a relevant curricular activity:

This is verbose. It can be cut by 60%.

In the last few years, studying Chinese has become quite popular,

Use quite for a little BrE spice and very for a little AmE seasoning.

that circumstance explains the success of that proposal.

A relative clause is better here.

which explains the success of that proposal.

I assume that the proposal in question has already been mentioned in your post.

But, alas, we cannot say the same for Italian language and culture

As StoneyB says, the definite article is required before Italian. "But, alas" is a bit pompous and too 19th-century.

But we cannot say the same for the Italian language and culture,

Add a comma for the coming relative clause.

which is interested by an unstoppable decadence culminate just today in the new statistic projections done by UNSCR.

Ungrammatical and some misused words.

which is interesting because of an unstoppable decadence that culminated just today in the new statistical projections done for United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) #???

Never assume that every reader will understand the abbreviation, unless it's already been spelled out. It may have been in your post, but it hasn't been in this question, so I'm just guessing.

In the last few years, studying Chinese has become quite popular, which explains the success of that proposal. But we cannot say the same for the Italian language and culture, which is interesting because of an unstoppable decadence that culminated just today in the new statistical projections done for United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) #???

I don't understand how a UNSCR manages to be the culmination of the Italian language's and culture's unstoppable decadence. The resolution, after all, was written and agreed to by the UNSC, not the Italian government. But that's a clarity and content problem, not an English grammar and usage problem per se.

This seems to me to be appropriately informal for an Internet post. It has an International-English flavor.

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.