Soft Egg goes English, or: a Dutch journalist's attempt to improve his proficiency in written English

The caption above will be the first and last example of so-called 'MAVO-Engels' you will see on this website. Well, hopefully. For our American readers - hi Kelly! - MAVO-Engels is sort of comparable to having a SAT verbal score below 300. In other words, it really sucks.

Henceforth, Zacht Ei will be in English.

There, I said it. (Still working on an English URL.)

As with many great ideas, this one wasn't mine. (This of course has the added advantage of me being able to backtrack on my decision whenever I feel like it and subsequently blame someone else.)

Anyway. What prompted this change into English was an email I received yesterday, inviting me to contribute to an American website. To keep levels of suspense at a desired high, I will not disclose which site.

It made me realize two things.

First, I'd really like to be published in English.

Second, I am not nearly as experienced in writing English articles as I'd like to be. There are probably loads of rough and slightly softer edges that need polishing, and I definitely could use the confidence that stems from more experience. The last time I actually wrote a substantial article in English was in 1997, during a four month stint in Dublin. Writing a blog in English will provide that experience.

Problem is, I can't do this alone, and hiring a professional native speaker to be a 'virtual editor' would be insanely expensive, whilst not necessarily providing me with the feedback I need. The cat would starve and I would finally lose that weight I've always wanted to get rid off, until the time came that I would be forced to eat the cat.

Therefore, I'd like to invite all native speakers, preferably those with experience in journalism, to comment on style and grammar. Be merciless if you like - that's what an American or British editor would be.

One caveat: when I say native speakers, I really do mean native speakers. Dutch folks are strong headed and tend to overestimate their own capacities (I myself being a fine specimen). I have no desire whatsoever to get into endless debates with people who know as little as I do when it comes to proper English writing. If that sounds harsh, well yes, I guess it is.

This website isn't called Soft Egg for no reason, you know.

10:16

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