Re: sort file problem { xy-3.53 under WIN98.SE }

["Patricia M. Godfrey" priscamg@xxxxxxxx]

Chèr Carel,
What my esteemed colleagues were trying, somewhat ham-handedly*, to say
was that though we appreciate your courtesy in writing to us in English,
many on this list (unlike most Americans) can read, write, and speak
various other languages. And since English is a fiendishly difficult
language (very few native speakers get it right--hence my profession of
copy editor) and in technical matters accuracy and clarity are
paramount, it would be better for those who are not native speakers of
English, and have not the fluency of, say, Wolfgang and Manuel (who are
astounding; far better than some native speakers I've had the misfortune
to edit), to address the list in their native tongue or in some other
language in which they are more fluent. No insult or discourtesy, I am
sure, was meant. Technically savvy types are sometimes somewhat lacking
in the finer nuances of social discourse.
* "Ham-handed" is an idiom (littéralement, aux mains du jambon; I trust
that's right: aux, not avec?) meaning sans finesse ou tact; it dates
from the days when people rode horses or drove them hitched to a
carriage, and meant that the rider or driver was so heavy-handed he--or
she--would ruin the horse's mouth. And I suppose I should apologize for
using it, even metaphorically, of Robert: I'm sure he's not ham-handed
when driving his Belgians.

Patricia M. Godfrey
priscmg@xxxxxxxx