Letters from expats<\/p>\n
To me the "Your Letters" column is not only interesting but
\ninstructive as well. This means that features of knowledge and
\ninformation can be reaped and are beneficial to enriching our
\nminds and outlook. Were it not for the interesting "Your Letters"
\ncolumn, I could have easily switched and subscribed to any other
\nlocal English newspapers for a change.<\/p>\n
Expatriates who like reading glimpses of characteristic
\nIndonesian problems may welcome the recent conspicuous trend of
\npublishing translated versions of letters derived from Indonesian
\nnewspapers. The column of The Jakarta Post of Sept. 25, 1995, for
\ninstance, published seven such letters. No single letter from an
\nexpat was found.<\/p>\n
Of course, we must appreciate any course taken by the
\neditorial staff. But since the possessive pronoun "Your" in "Your
\nLetters" implies that the letters come from the readers of the
\nPost, I think that letters from expatriate readers should still
\nbe welcomed as a treat, especially for Senior High School
\nstudents learning English composition.<\/p>\n
The purpose of my comment here is only to convey appreciation,
\nfor I mostly enjoy reading letters from expatriates who express
\ntheir upright views and comments on various aspects of social
\nproblems according to their perception. What's more, often
\ncharacteristic idiomatic expressions are found in their writing,
\nwhich are not apt for literal translation. Language can be
\ntranslated, but things like euphony and idioms are not for
\ntranslation. They must only be learned by heart.<\/p>\n
Further, what is most interesting to me is exemplified by the
\nletter of a Mr. William Corr of Osaka, Japan (the Post, Sept. 10,
\n1995) who wrote a short comment on foreign land lease, drawing
\nlessons from Ireland's land law and practice.<\/p>\n
Those letters from expats commenting on traffic and pollution
\nproblems are also instructive. As regards to idiomatic
\nexpressions found in their writings, these definitely provide a
\nsource of learning advanced English composition. Sometimes, the
\nway of thinking or the frame of mind adhered to by expatriate
\nwriters are reflected in their letters.<\/p>\n
I hope that the expats who have the ability to contribute
\ninvaluable views through their letters to this column will not be
\ntaken aback or constrained by perhaps the occasional conflicts or
\nby the editing policy, as once commented upon by some readers,
\ncausing them to discontinue writing to this column. This would be
\na loss to Indonesian youngsters who are keen on learning ways of
\nexpression in English in the frame of international exchange of
\nviews.<\/p>\n
With this letter I wish to appeal to our friends among the
\nexpatriate community to continue with their meaningful
\ncontribution to this enlightening readers' forum, without
\nbothering too much about the editing policy or practice, which is
\nonly a matter of discretion or a right on the part of the
\neditors.<\/p>\n
Name and address<\/p>\n
known to editor<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/letters-from-expats-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }