General Questions Thread

[Kyuusai]

Originally Posted by qtipbrit92

Quick grammar question:

Does the verb "destroy" require an object?

My partner and I working on an essay are in disagreement, as though it is being used figuratively, I think it requires an object for clarification.
He's quite knowledgable in English grammar and whatnot, but as am I, so I'm quite sure who is correct.

Here's the verb used in context:
"Unlike existentialists, skeptics, and other similar philosophers, though, nihilists do not simply argue the lack of these aspects of reality; rather, they actively try to destroy - as Nietzsche writes..."

"Destroy" is normally a transitive verb (meaning it requires an object). However, in certain contexts, an object can be understood.

Personally, I think the object should be clarified there.

[qtipbrit]

Originally Posted by tripperazn

Yes, I think it does. The example sentence sounds extremely awkward, and you're left asking, "destroy...destroy what?".

Also, the "though" is unnecessary, cut it. Too many damn commas and punctuation marks in general. It may impress your teacher that you can construct complex sentences, but it's a pain to read. Possible misuse of the colon, you don't tack on a sentence afterwards, only one clause. I think. Definite misuse of the hyphen.

As my AP English teacher used to say, "the fewer commas your sentence contains, the better". It went without saying that you shouldn't use those advanced punctuation marks unless you absolutely cannot make do without them, or you're trying for some sort of stylistic impression in your writing.

Our teacher stresses the same things as well, so I omitted the extra words and such from his draft.
He tends to be a bit wordy in his writing.

Originally Posted by Ledgem

I don't think it needs to be qualified. You could say "destroy what" but it sounds like these people try to destroy, period. I guess if we had it in context with the entire essay it'd be clearer to tell whether this explains itself or whether there's something missing.

He sent me the rest of his draft once he had finished, and since I hadn't seen which quote he was using before, I think it's fine to just use "destroy" without an object in this case.
"As Nietzsche writes, 'Nihilism is. . . not only the belief that everything deserves to perish; but one actually puts one's shoulder to the plough; one destroys.'"

[NoSanninWa]

As Kyuusai says, this can be accepted in certain contexts, but there's a difference between "allowable" and "good." I'd also advise you not to copy Nietzsche's use of 2 semi-colons and an elipses in a single sentence.

Quite frankly, while Nietzsche was brilliant in certain ways, he is not exactly known for his clarity of writing. I wouldn't advise copying his style unless you have a good reason for it.

[LiberLibri]

I think it modifies slighty the nuance of the original wording (zerstören) to supplement an object for the sentence.

Question:

I've heard some US universties have lectures on the contemprary otaku phenomena. Does anyone know what materials/texts they use?

In Japan, there are several "established" thinkers and theories for otaku cultures. Hiroki Azuma, Eiji Otsuka and Tamaki Saito are well known and frequently cited in articles in this field, either positively or critically. Azuma's work was translated into French and Korean, but English version is yet to come. (or never comes...)

[KholdStare]

I was wondering, but is there a list of visual novels/games that have been officially translated and released in English? If it's a long list, then some notable ones would be fine.

[tripperazn]

Originally Posted by KholdStare

I was wondering, but is there a list of visual novels/games that have been officially translated and released in English? If it's a long list, then some notable ones would be fine.

www.shii.org/translate

This is the "official" fan directory. If you want some good ones, I can make some recommendations.

[KholdStare]

Originally Posted by tripperazn

www.shii.org/translate

This is the "official" fan directory. If you want some good ones, I can make some recommendations.

Well, what I meant was a company actually picked up the series and released it. However, you can make some recommendations from that list if you'd like.

[tripperazn]

Originally Posted by KholdStare

Well, what I meant was a company actually picked up the series and released it. However, you can make some recommendations from that list if you'd like.

OH, well that's another story entirely. Most of the commercial translations are either hardcore porn without story (Peach Princess), or all-ages (the now defunct Hirameki). You can wikipedia those for their releases. I haven't played many VN's, I find I simply don't have the patience or time, unless it's on a plane across the world or something like that.

To buy commercial VN: http://www.jastusa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv
(look to your left, in the sidebar)

My recommendations:
CLANNAD (2004)
True Remembrance (2004)
Narcissu (2005)
Fate/Stay Night (2004) [when patch is released, which is soon]
Yume Miru Kusuri (Peach Princess, I think their only eroge with story, not that great, but Aeka is worth playing through at least)

*the bolded ones are 18+

[KholdStare]

Oh, I didn't realize that commercial translations are mostly hardcore porn. That's quite sad. Thanks for the recommendations!

Apparently I already gave you cookies recently, tripperazn.

[Aoie_Emesai]

It's pretty much the popular ones ^^

[Slighted]

Can someone please explain why some schools, at least those being portrayed in anime, such as Ouran Hostobu and Clannad, have different a uniform (especially the guys' blazers and ties) than the traditional black seifuku? Thanks!

[Aoie_Emesai]

It's an anime, they can really use any uniform style they like. Not like all anime follow the standard dress code anyway.

[Vexx]

Many schools in "real life" also have different sorts of uniform standards and they evolve over the decades.

[Slighted]

Alright thanks, seems reasonable enough to me. i guess i was just looking into it way too much.

[-KarumA-]

quick grammar question, in the auto edit my words doesn't think of this as a mistake but during a manual initiated check up it does..

is it in this case "it's" or "its"

"because I’m doing my trainee period there next school year... it’s tough finding one, specially when you’ve never looked for one before..."

I thought it was it's but I'm confussed now =(

[Ledgem]

That's correct. "Its" is generally just a possessive form; "it's" expands out to be "it is." In this case you're not describing ownership, you're describing a situation. When in doubt, expand the apostraphe out. "It is" fits here, so that's the proper usage.

[KholdStare]

If you change your ellipses to a comma before "it's," then I really think your program would not mark it wrong, because ellipses might be interpreted in a weird way somehow.

[Aoie_Emesai]

Like my professor always say, "don't trust your computer programs to do your grammar for you"

Yeah... basically that means do it manually.

[-KarumA-]

Originally Posted by KholdStare

If you change your ellipses to a comma before "it's," then I really think your program would not mark it wrong, because ellipses might be interpreted in a weird way somehow.

I was only using the ellipses here on the forums not int he words document =3

So you only use it's when using it on an object and not a situation =) thanks!

[Frailty]

my friend asked me this and uhmmm I really want an explanation and good reasoning..
well, it's much of a joke,trick question but it really does make sense in a way...
here it is:

"which comes first, a chicken or the egg?"