One of my essays is about my interest in linguistics and I included some (quoted) phrases of foreign languages (French, German, Russian, Korean) in my essay. Am I allowed to do that? Because the essay sounds too superficial and illogical without the examples. If so, do they go towards the final word count?
Sure, why not? But only if it makes sense and helps your essay. And yes, they would count for the word count.
I’m gonna take the flip side of the debate and say no, don’t do it. For a couple of reasons.
• Odds are the AO does not know the foreign language
• It may come across as trying to hard. Like when you try to use a big word just to show you know the word.
• Even if you get the Cyrillic or Hangul to display correctly on your screen, it may still appear as gibberish to the reader.
Now if it’s a phrase that commonly used in English, like je ne sais quoi, it’s still a bit risky, but less so if it makes sense in context.
@skieurope But it’s about the uncommon links I found between the Korean language and modern physics. And I gave translations whenever I used a foreign word/phrase. If I show it to someone who doesn’t know any of these languages and they find it okay can I take it as okay? I just really like this essay
A phrase or 2 in Korean might be OK, but I’m having difficulty understanding what adding phrases in Korean and Russian and French and German and oh, by the way, (according to your other thread) writing it as a speech will add to the essay.
I still subscribe to “less is more” I understand the need to make one’ essay distinctive and make it stand out, but there is such a thing as standing out in a bad way. But without reading the essay (and I’m not volunteering), it’s hard to say. If a teacher at your school reads it and thinks it works, then go ahead.
You want your essay to be easy for the reader to understand. If the phrases are known, or can be quickly explained, go for it. It they will slow the reader down, skip them.
It’s the same with typeface and spacing. You are to make the essay easy to read so using an unusual font or strange indentation pattern is not a good idea.
They will count towards the word count – you can certainly do this but you should explain where necessary and consider “can this be explained without direct quotes?” It may affect the flow and length of your essay.
If the reader wants to know about the applicant, your essay should help as it is you. Perhaps you want a university which thinks outside of the box and will do so themselves to collect the best class of students. What are you looking for in a university?
I have a nephew entering his Senior year Georgetown University who wanted a closer look at Georgetown’s Mandarin department so he requested a visit. He found himself in a room with three faculty members who carried on department discussion in Mandarin. When my nephew asked for a break in english as it would be easier for him, a faculty member responded “easier for you, but not for us!”
He loves the place! It fit.
I would say no unless it’s well-known foreign phrases, but even then, its better to write in English translation. One thing I learned about writing this kind of essay is that you shouldn’t try too hard or look posh. I learned it hard way…
I don’t speak French, German, Russian or Korean.
So I’m guessing that I would be lost on chunks of your essay.
How does that help me know that I should admit you to my school over someone else who wrote an essay I can comprehend?
I think the odds are good that it would come across as pretentious.
Remember, the point behind this essay is to give them a reason to say yes. It doesn’t sound to me as though your choice will do that.
OP has noted some very competitive colleges. So I’d ask, are the “uncommon links I found between the Korean language and modern physics” really what you want to write your admissions essay about? Do you have an idea what these colleges look for in applicants and does this show that about you?
The essay isn’t meant to educate them or throw around one’s intellectual musings.
I think this OP had another thread on here. She has to remember the essay is about you. You have like 10 seconds to grab someone’s attention. You might reference the link/s without a large explanation. Why don’t you write it both ways and show it to a teacher? I think you spoke several languages and one was a dying mother language and how it made you who you are today? The reader wants to learn about you and how you will fit into their college community.
If it is relevant to the essay topic and connects back to you there should be no problem. Do not include it just for giggles or to make yourself look smarter. If you do include it, don’t elaborate or speak about it more than you have to.