Latin grammar nazis, get in here.

[Deleted]

I need help with the usage of 'Ad nauseam'

'I’ve since increased in vocal variety by constantly practising characters from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft, sometimes even to the point of ad nauseam to those around me.'

Does this make sense? If not, how can I write it better? Thanks.

[Zhangfei]

Ad nauseum doesn't work in that sentence. I'd rewrite the thing as:

"I've since increased in vocal variety by practising characters ad nauseum from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft" if you mean you do it until it sickens yourself, or just say "sometimes to the point of nauseating those around me" if you mean it sickens others.

[Deleted]

Ad nauseum doesn't work in that sentence. I'd rewrite the thing as:

"I've since increased in vocal variety by practising characters ad nauseum from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft" if you mean you do it until it sickens yourself, or just say "sometimes to the point of nauseating those around me" if you mean it sickens others.

Hm, yeah. Thanks for both suggestions, but isn't there a way to write it with the word ad nauseam in the context of sickening others? I'm not stuck on the idea of using a fancy word, I'm just wondering.

[Aldred]

I don't know any Latin really, so maybe wait for someone who does. But in the mean time...

It would be better written as "sometimes even ad nauseam to those around me". Still sounds kind of odd, but this way you're saying more like "sometimes even to the point of nausea to those around me". Essentially - you don't need the "to the point of" in English in your sentence, it's duplicating the Latin.

Alternatively, just write the whole sentence in English!

[Zhangfei]

Hm, yeah. Thanks for both suggestions, but isn't there a way to write it with the word ad nauseam in the context of sickening others? I'm not stuck on the idea of using a fancy word, I'm just wondering.

Possibly, but it's more a generic term. You say "this argument has gone on ad nauseum" to imply it sickens everyone universally. To specify just people around you, you'd say "nauseate." It's usually reserved for debate and philosophical and logical arguing, not a little joke about annoying others.

[Nah]

I believe the proper use of "ad nauseam" is as a prepositional phrase. The phrase itself means, "to nausea," or more implied, "to the point of inducing nausea."

[jbhasban]

I need help with the usage of 'Ad nauseam'

'I’ve since increased in vocal variety by constantly practising characters from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft, sometimes even to the point of ad nauseam to those around me.'

Does this make sense? If not, how can I write it better? Thanks.

Using latin for latins sake is stupid. It doesnt make you sound intelligent. It makes you sound pretentious. (source: I am a lawyer who can speak latin).

In any event, "Ad nauseam" literally translates to "towards nausea." As such, just structure a sentence with the words "towards nausea" and replace it with the latin.

I’ve since increased in vocal variety by constantly practicing characters from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft ad nauseam.

BTW, "vocal variety" is a confusing phrase. I can only guess at what you are talking about. Generally, vocal variety in public speech means the ability to vary your vocal pattern in such a way to make the listener feel engaged. It doesn't make sense how practicing characters from Wow would help you achieve this. I assume what you are really talking about is skill at impersonation. In addition, I dont like the sound of "increasing" your skill at something. I think improving it sounds better.

"I've since improved my impersonation skills by practicing characters from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft ad nauseam, much to the chagrin of those around me."

I would get rid of the "ad nauseam" as it really adds nothing and simply use the constantly that you had before. They both signal the same thing.

"I've since improved my impersonation skills by constantly practicing characters from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft, much to the chagrin of those around me."

[FathomFear]

What do you mean by "vocal variety" in this context?

[Deleted]

Using latin for latins sake is stupid. It doesnt make you sound intelligent. It makes you sound pretentious. (source: I am a lawyer who can speak latin).

In any event, "Ad nauseam" literally translates to "towards nausea." As such, just structure a sentence with the words "towards nausea" and replace it with the latin.

I’ve since increased in vocal variety by constantly practicing characters from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft ad nauseam.

BTW, "vocal variety" is a confusing phrase. I can only guess at what you are talking about. Generally, vocal variety in public speech means the ability to vary your vocal pattern in such a way to make the listener feel engaged. It doesn't make sense how practicing characters from Wow would help you achieve this. I assume what you are really talking about is skill at impersonation.

"I've since improved my impersonation skills by practicing characters from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft ad nauseam, much to the chagrin of those around me."

Thanks for the help.

Edit: I know better than to leave it now, so does 'sometimes to the chagrin of the people around me' make any sense? Oh, and can you help me with that vocal variety part then, since you now know the context.

Voice acting has been a hobby for many years and I think it started back with impressions of Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid video games. I've since increased in vocal variety by constantly practising characters from the popular mmorpg World of Warcraft, sometimes to the chagrin of those around me.

[jbhasban]

Thanks for the help.

Edit: I know better than to leave it now, so does 'sometimes to the chagrin of the people around me' make any sense?

I have no idea why you are even adding that. What are you trying to convey and who are you sending this out to? If this is a professional thing, I would leave out the fact that you annoy other people. I would also leave out world of warcraft as people have a negative view of the game. I would just say "I have since improved my impersonation skills through extensive imitation of characters from popular television shows and video games, much to the bemusement of my friends and family."

Never use the phrase "I think" when writing. By definition, everything that you write is what you think.

Voice acting has been a hobby of mine ever since my first imitation of Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid video games. Over the years, I have improved my impersonation skills through extensive practice of characters from popular television shows and video games, much to the bemusement of my friends and family.

Vocal variety means something different than you think it does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdBNUDIOIP8.

[Deleted]

I have no idea why you are even adding that. What are you trying to convey and who are you sending this out to? If this is a professional thing, I would leave out the fact that you annoy other people. I would also leave out world of warcraft as people have a negative view of the game. I would just say "I have since improved my impersonation skills through extensive imitation of characters from popular television shows and video games, much to the bemusement of my friends and family."

Even if it's just a casual about page? I don't know why you haven't looked at my signature yet. And why are you so hostile? Chill out.

[jbhasban]

Even if it's just a casual about page? I don't know why you haven't looked at my signature yet. And why are you so hostile? Chill out.

If you are trying to sell yourself as an artist or voice actor, it is best to display yourself in the best positive light and not as someone who annoys others. I would also get a more professional photo.

I guess you are trying to be humorous but humor only works in person. You want to come off as likable. And I am not being hostile. I am being direct. You asked for criticism. Don't get annoyed when people critique you harshly.

[Deleted]

Only Italian language is allowed to use Latin structures in common formal language without sounding stupid.

[Deleted]

If you are trying to sell yourself as an artist or voice actor, it is best to display yourself in the best positive light and not as someone who annoys others.

I guess you are trying to be humorous but humor only works in person. You want to come off as likable. And I am not being hostile. I am being direct. You asked for criticism. Don't get annoyed when people critique you harshly.

Yes, I did ask for critisicm and I am taking it. Perhaps it's just the way I perceive the sentence 'I have no idea why you are even adding that.'

I was trying to come off as humorous and to sort of emphasize the fact that I practice a lot, but if you think it's unwise then you're probably right. I just didn't think it'd come off as me being unlikable.

[lvlark]

Using latin for latins sake is stupid. It doesnt make you sound intelligent. It makes you sound pretentious. (source: I am a lawyer who can speak latin).

Much depends on the context in which he uses it. If, for example, you write this for a community where it's very common to use Latin phrases, not using Latin makes you sound stupid/out of place. Such a community may well exist for other reasons than pretensions, or trying to appear intelligent. I, for one, appreciate the language (even though I'm not very skilled at it). Certain Latin phrases (not this one I suppose) can't even be properly translated without using way too many words/building ugly sentences. The proposed solution of 'chagrin' instead of 'nausea' changes (slightly) the meaning of the sentence.

[Deleted]

Chagrin works much better than the original sentence with ad nauseum, personally I'd probably add an exclamation mark if I was saying that sentence in a jokey manner. I don't think it comes off as unprofessional or making you unlikeable personally but if you wanted to portray it in a more positive manner rather than you annoying people, "entertainment" or "amusement" would work... if you really want to say that you've practiced to the point where you actually annoy people, I think that chagrin is a decent fit.

[Deleted]

I'm trying to decide if leaving in the names of videos games like metal gear solid and WoW is a good idea. It personalizes the site, I think, and it helps get across to other people that I'm right for their project. I think it'd be slightly odd to want to voice act for games/machinima projects but have it sparsely mentioned on my site when it's what I specialise in. Thoughts?

[jbhasban]

Much depends on the context in which he uses it. If, for example, you write this for a community where it's very common to use Latin phrases, not using Latin makes you sound stupid/out of place. Such a community may well exist for other reasons than pretensions, or trying to appear intelligent. I, for one, appreciate the language (even though I'm not very skilled at it). Certain Latin phrases (not this one I suppose) can't even be properly translated without using way too many words/building ugly sentences. The proposed solution of 'chagrin' instead of 'nausea' changes (slightly) the meaning of the sentence.

The legal community is filled with people who use latin and trust me, latin does not make you look intelligent. There are certain phrases in latin that must be used (mens rea, actus rea) because they have legal significance in themselves but there is never a reason to use latin where English can work just as well. Clarity in writing is far more impressive than grandeur in syntax and words. There are exceptions. If you are trying to be funny or come off purposefully grandiose, then latin may be useful. I have written a poem in court motion once because opposing counsel was being an asshat and I wanted to poke fun at them without coming off to the court as an asshole.

[Netherspark]

I don't understand why people seem to want to use random phrases of another language... I don't see the point. What happens when the person you're talking to doesn't know it ? (which, lets face it, is pretty much always)

How would you like it if we were having a conversation and all of a sudden I started throwing in random chinese phrases and expected you to understand?

[Deleted]

I'm trying to decide if leaving in the names of videos games like metal gear solid and WoW is a good idea. It personalizes the site, I think, and it helps get across to other people that I'm right for their project. I think it'd be slightly odd to want to voice act for games/machinima projects but have it sparsely mentioned on my site when it's what I specialise in. Thoughts?

If you're trying to work on projects in the gaming industry I think showing that you're an experienced / passionate gamer is a plus.