Bug#390706: 'man update-exim4' typos: "delvered" and "domainlist"

[A. Costa]

On Wed, 4 Oct 2006 12:04:23 +0200
Marc Haber <mh+debian-packages at zugschlus.de> wrote:

> > 	...the relay_to_domains domainlist, a list of domains...
> > 	       1                2           3 4    5  6
> 
> ...in technical documents, it is IMO more important to get the technical
> facts right. 

We agree in principle, but might not yet agree as to particulars. 

But first, thanks very much for your patience and detailed reply.  I'm
studying (in what sometimes seems like microscopic detail) what causes
certain kinds of minor textual bugs, and controversies thereof.  One
goal is to automate "needless words" bugs, but that can't happen without
first finding some decent way to make the bug reports succinct,
incontestably obvious, and factually objective.  Alas, with so many
such bugs, long exchanges aren't practical, but can be, as a research
method, considered a necessary evil in service to the greater good.

> ...I'd feel uncomfortable with stylistic changes as there _are_ three
> meanings of the word "domain", and removing one of them would mean
> removing information.

Again we agree in principle, but I have a question, which requires a bit 
of illustration...

Once again that excerpt, but showing the parts of
speech as well:

 	...the relay_to_domains domainlist, a list of domains...
 	       1                2           3 4    5  6
	       proper noun      adjective/noun        plural noun

1) a variable name in the form of a proper noun that happens to be a
mnemonic or memory aid; its final root word 'domain' reminds us of the
plural noun 'domains', meaning 'internet domains'.

2) the noun 'list', modified by the adjective 'domain'; again
the root of that adjective is 'internet domain'.

6) a plural noun meaning 'internet domains'.

In all three instances the idea of the root concept is constant, "internet 
domain", only the grammatical parts of speech change: from a noun
(6), to an adjective (2), to a proper noun that reminds us of a noun (1).

Two examples of the same redundant form (Proper noun/adjective/plural noun):

	...'Cat Chow' cat food, a food for cats...
	...the 'Computer World' computer trade show, a trade show featuring computers...

Few native English speakers would find three different "meanings" of
the word "cat" or "computer" in either example, as grammatical forms
such as plurality, tense, case, etc. are considered subordinate to
meaning.  Grammar that's effortless to natives can be difficult for
others.

Now the question.  If I understand correctly, when you mention "three
meanings of the word 'domain'", you're noticing how the 
words' grammatical forms are different?

NB, it's a trick question and a dilemma:  answer "yes",
and the passage is redundant.  Answer "no", and the passage is
vague**.  Consolation: the latter would be worse than the former.

(** vaguer examples: "the cat cat the cat cat", "the cocker
cockered his Cocker", "the doggy dog doggedly dogged Dog the dog.",
all of which are grammatically OK, but imply a surplus of 
beasty interpretations.)