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Another or the other?

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irmamar
January 20, 2011, 03:28 AM
This sentence is driving me crazy because I don't know if use "the other" or "another". The context is some factors in bilingual or multilingual contexts, so there are more than a language, two or more (but not necessarily more than two):

X factors affect people's attitude towards one language or the other/or another.

Thanks. :)

Perikles
January 20, 2011, 04:05 AM
This sentence is driving me crazy because I don't know if WHETHER TO :mad::D use "the other" or "another". The context is some factors in bilingual or multilingual contexts, so there are more than a language, two or more (but not necessarily more than two):

X factors affect people's attitude towards one language or the other/or another.

Thanks. :)If there could be more than two, then or another would be correct, because the other would specifically mean for two languages only. :)

irmamar
January 20, 2011, 04:34 AM
Whether, yes. :banghead: :banghead:

The condition is "more than a language". What would you say? :thinking:

Perikles
January 20, 2011, 04:57 AM
Whether, yes. :banghead: :banghead:

The condition is "more than a language". What would you say? :thinking:Well, more than a language is incorrect, it would be more than one language.

Ultimately, you have to sacrifice succinctness for the sake of correct grammar and clarity: The real answer would be

X factors affect people's attitude both towards the one language and another language or other languages.

- this also gives you the chance of spelling language in three different ways. :p:D

irmamar
January 20, 2011, 05:09 AM
Well, more than a language is incorrect, it would be more than one language.

Ultimately, you have to sacrifice succinctness for the sake of correct grammar and clarity: The real answer would be

X factors affect people's attitude both towards the one language and another language or other languages.

- this also gives you the chance of spelling language in three different ways. :p:D

Sorry, one language, you're right (as ever). :D

Too long, I have a limit of words (and there are many "languages" -all of them written in the same way... :D). :thinking:

Awaken
January 20, 2011, 06:53 AM
Another is correct here. "The other" means there can only be 2 as Perikles pointed out.

X factors affect people's attitude towards one language or another.
The above sentence makes me think you are saying X factors affect them choosing one language over another, not just their attitude.

If you are just referring to their attitude, it is shorter and clearer to say:

X factors affect people's attitude towards a language.

irmamar
January 21, 2011, 01:39 AM
Thank you, Awaken. It seems enough clear now. :)

Awaken
January 21, 2011, 11:28 AM
Thank you, Awaken. It seems enough clear enough now. :)

No problem.

irmamar
January 22, 2011, 01:16 PM
I was sure I was wrong!! :banghead: :banghead:

Thanks. :)

CrOtALiTo
January 24, 2011, 09:30 AM
In mu humble opinion I should use other word.

Other factor in the people's attitude toward one language.

I'm quite sure that I should use that word instead of another.
I find more appropriate that word.