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Mike Harrison · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 1:34 pm Post subject: Do you create contractions?

I cringe when I see so many eLearning scripts that are so near-formally written, grammar-wise.

"In this module, you will learn..." "While you are working..." "When you are ready to continue..."

I've begun changing things like these examples to their ear-friendlier contractions: "In this module, you'll learn..." "While you're working..." "When you're ready to continue..." etcetera and so forth..

Anyone else do this? Has anyone done this and gotten chewed out for it?

Looking at things from the audience perspective, learning new stuff is tedious enough as it is without having to listen to some stuffy grammar queen besides. Wink

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todd ellis · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 1:56 pm Post subject:

i do a LOT of pharma narration - and they want it read as written - no exceptions. sometimes these scripts are in legal for months and they are playing CYOA. "they'll" WILL be returned for a pickup if the script says "they will". it's just the way it is --- it's eLearning --- it ain't art.

jmho ymmv member fdic
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Adric83 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 1:58 pm Post subject:

I've often felt that the tone as written sounded a little dry and a little formal, I've changed tenses and syntax so that it made more sense, but in terms of contractions, the bulk of the e-learning I've done has been cast with a British accent in mind by American companies.
I don't want to make generalisations, but I think the firm who hired me, did so because of the more 'formal' sounding upper class British accent I used and so contractions didn't make sense for that character.

I've 'relaxed' the copy a little before on other projects without much pushback, but I have to get a sense of the overall 'character' they're going for and make a judgement on that.

But you're right, Mike, learning these modules seems like it wouldn't exactly be thrilling, so a more relaxed, easier experience would be preferable, of course, WHAT they're learning makes a difference to how delivery will alter interpretation.

Frank F · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 2:02 pm Post subject:

Do you say "moun-ain" or "Feb-U-arie" or "imporan"? Do you say "Ta" instead of "to"? Or "yer" for "your" or "you are"?

There are reasons for formal writing. One of the many is that it is understandable by listeners with foreign backgrounds. Another is that all listeners can easily understand the improper accents or non-enunciation of the pro-nouncers presentation.

Converting "you will" to you'll can get you in trouble when what is meant to be said is "you WILL".

So it is written, so shall I convey the words.

FF
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heyguido · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 2:28 pm Post subject:

The client gets what the client pays for. While I have been known to make suggestions when the client is amenable.... I NEVER make changes without the client's approval. Never.
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 2:56 pm Post subject:

todd ellis · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 3:38 pm Post subject:

that said --- i just did an eLearning piece for operators of a high pressure die-cutting machine - thing - deal --- and it was VERY conversational. but, again --- that's the way it was written.
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Bish · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:07 pm Post subject:

I've done it accidentally, had my wrists slapped and had to do pick-ups. Some of these people are very picky with the language. The production houses (where used) are tasked with getting it verbatim otherwise their client will throw it back as "not approved". Depending on the client and the brief, this stuff is usually rubber-stamped by a roomful of lawyers... so absolutely no deviation is allowed.
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DougVox · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:31 pm Post subject:

My situation's a lot like Adric83's, but on the other side of the coin.

Because of the nature of my sound, I'm usually booked on the more conversational, casual stuff, and very often do create contractions where they're not written.

But never without asking the client first.
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Yonie · CM Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 906

Frank summed it up perfectly. The company often wants to deal internationally. I suspect Peter to be one where a client demands formality, to a fault.

FinMac · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:34 am Post subject: Contractions ?

Most of the texts I read were written by non-native English speakers. Most of the time the texts are written without contractions.

When I suggest using the contractions, to make the flow more natural sounding, my suggestions are usually most warmly welcomed !

It does not hurt to ask, does it ? Smile

(Man, that sounds unnatural)
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 6:33 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the great feedback.

As FinMac just pointed out, it certainly doesn't hurt to ask. And, ask I did, regarding the project I'm currently working on, and the client said "I'm with you. Do it."

Score one for more natural speech.
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DeadDillo · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:29 am Post subject:

It couldn't hurt to ask the client if they want the delivery more conversational. If so, contractions are a quick way to do this.
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Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

Contract almost all the time here unless I'm needing the extra emphasis. Legal-ese and direct quotes are different.
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 1:01 pm Post subject:

Another - it depends thing.

Most of the time, no one will notice the contraction - or most of the contractions. It just feels more conversational.

I do some of Todd's strict no contraction projects tho', so I do what he says.

But think about how people write. It just comes out of the fingers - it is - rather than it's. You will instead of you'll. Although with auto-correct, type in Ill and it is automatically changed to I'll. So the times they are a changing - maybe.
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