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Proofreading and linguistics

Sanctux · 2010-01-28T10:52:31

I was just wondering: is proofreading a feasible profession? I often find myself scrutinizing the often-overlooked nuances of English grammar, punctuation, and conventional style in whatever it is I may be reading, whether it be an entry in a game lore database, a treatise on economics, or a particularly eloquent poem in the Valkyrie Profile series. An incorrectly placed "whom" or neglected subjunctive case on an advertisement or promotional work instantly degrades my perspective on whatever it may be promoting; same thing happens when I encounter these errors in character dialogue subtitles or mission objectives, and it always detracts from my gameplay experience. I find I am very much at ease analyzing text for creating a feel of crisp professionalism. What sort of career or profession could involve the little things? Not the creation of entire storylines or plots, but an intro poem, witty Latin quotations, and perhaps the occasional exotic alien language.

Writing for Games Game Design

Started by Sanctux January 27, 2010 01:57 AM

9 comments, last by Tom Sloper 14 years, 5 months ago

Tom Sloper

17,213

January 28, 2010 10:52 AM

Quote: Original post by Sanctux
I'm still rather young, and I've had several spur-of-the-moment-type "passions," until I realized they were more like interests than passions. Perhaps one day I'll find out what my true passion is.

You do that by trying them on for size for a while. Some of them wear out, as you suggest, but not all of them. When one doesn't wear out, then you've found one. And many of us don't have just one passion.

-- Tom Sloper -- sloperama.com