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Question : How do I write or, more correctly, rewrite in Basic English? I can see the benefits of Basic, but I don't really want to learn that much Basic or look up every word in the Basic Dictionary -- I have a day job.
Answer :
For the time being, it is a two step process.
Spell Checking to find words that are not Basic and then Translation from.
full English to Basic.
SETUP
- Install Open Office.org Software Suite and configure with Basic word list
as described in Read OOo from our download page. OOo is a freeware version of Microsoft Office with some enhancements. (This is a big program but you may find you don't have to pay big bucks to buy Office in the future.)
- Install Internet Dictionary Project software (a snap) and configure with the Basic vocabulary as described in Read IDP from our download page. Over 34,300 words and senses are included.
TO WRITE.
- Write as you always would including editing, spell and grammar checking.
You can do this is any word processor. This need not be with OOo.
- Using OOo, open your page. OOo can read most formats.
If writing in OOo change the language to English to "Basic".
Words that are not Basic will be highlighted as if misspelled.
Type the word in IDP ; select the sense you intend and paste into your writing.
Edit your writing to make sure it says what you want and flows properly in tense, etc. Good Basic is good English.
And you are finished.
Future : The next task of the Institute's E-Office Project is to incorporate the translation dictionary into a word processor so that hovering over the highlighted non-basic words will show Basic translation alternatives. We just need a Unix/C++ programmer volunteer.
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About this Page: writer.html -- How to write / rewrite in Basic English.
Last updated August 15, 2004
URL: http://www.basic-english.org/user/write.html