Spelling or right spelling

Fig. 1: Journalism International

From "double-duplication", to everyday words that are often misspelled, to misuse of foreign words.

My journalism degree keeps me busy! I pursue my full passion of researching and writing texts and articles. I found myself reading the book >>Formulating Scientifically<< by Stefan Kühtz, Brill | Schöningh, came across passages in 2018 with a smile that I would like to delve deeper into in this article.

German grammar is a phenomenon in itself. Although it is far from being considered the most difficult language in the world, the continental West Germanic language seems challenging for many, especially with a different mother tongue.

Types of speech such as verb, noun, derivation by adding an affix, compositions, declension, number, case, pronouns, present, past perfect, perfect, pluperfect,... The grammar never ends!

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But beyond that, many more mistakes are made that are of a much simpler nature.

Errors such as "double duplications", misspelled everyday words or incorrectly used foreign words are often found, especially in scientific papers.

The best examples summarized here:

• Foreign words:

Fig. 2: Source: Wissenschaftlich-formulieren.de

Fig. 3: Source: Wissenschaftlich-formulieren.de

• "Everyday words":

Fig. 4: Source: Wissenschaftlich-formulieren.de

• "Double biplications":

Fig. 5: Source: Wissenschaftlich-formulieren.de

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A scientific paper, especially a term paper, should be written according to the motto

>>As detailed as necessary, as compact and concise as possible!<<

Technical terminology and the correct citation of (primary) sources must not be omitted. But "by no means does a higher scientific level mean that formulations can now be complicated and difficult to understand. The opposite is the case: scientific formulations should, above all, ensure a clear and unambiguous presentation of the technical content." (p. 13)

If you are unsure, you should always look up words before using them incorrectly and subsequently causing misunderstandings.

My conclusion about this book: A specialist work that, with the highest praise, gets to the heart of the matter of incorrect spelling or the use of words in the German language alongside the study materials for studying journalism. A true recommendation for every student, regardless of their course of study.

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Literature references: 

Wissenschaftlich formulieren – Tipps und Textbausteine für Studium und Schule (wissenschaftlich-formulieren.de)

Image Credit:

Fig. 1: Journalism International (JI)

Fig. 2: Wissenschaftlich formulieren – Tipps und Textbausteine für Studium und Schule (wissenschaftlich-formulieren.de)

Fig. 3: Wissenschaftlich formulieren – Tipps und Textbausteine für Studium und Schule (wissenschaftlich-formulieren.de)

Fig. 4: Wissenschaftlich formulieren – Tipps und Textbausteine für Studium und Schule (wissenschaftlich-formulieren.de)

Fig. 5: Wissenschaftlich formulieren – Tipps und Textbausteine für Studium und Schule (wissenschaftlich-formulieren.de)