[Python-ideas] Off topic: 'strike a balance' - second language English

[Jonathan Fine]

Summary: I look at the phrase 'strike a balance' in different languages,
and rewrite some wikipedia text on accessibility.

I found in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jargon#Accessibility_issues
===
There is a balance to be struck, as excessive removal of technical
terminology from a document leads to an equally undesirable outcome—dumbing
down.
===

Aside: Found while writing
https://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-ideas/2018-August/052819.html.

I wondered how the phrase 'strike a balance' would translate into other
languages (which is an accessibility issue).

Using google translate I did round-tripping and other loops. (Simply
curiosity driven, no agenda.)
===
en: strike a balance
fr: trouver un équilibre
en: find a balance
de: finde ein Gleichgewicht
arabic: العثور على التوازن
en: Find balance
fi: Etsi tasapaino
en: Find the balance
de: Finde das Gleichgewicht
===
en: strike a balance
al: të krijojë një ekuilibër
en: create a balance
basque: oreka sortu
en: create balance
===

>From this I found that 'balance' was the key to the phrase. And that the
verb could variously be 'strike', 'find' or 'create'. There may be other
verbs. The work 'strike' by itself often means 'stoppage' or 'industrial
action'. Is this a hazard?

So what's good, when English is the reader's second (or third) language?
Surely, here, it's best not to use the word 'strike'. (In English 'strike
out' means 'remove', not 'find'.)

To try this out, let's rewrite:
===
There is a balance to be struck, as excessive removal of technical
terminology from a document leads to an equally undesirable outcome—dumbing
down.
==

How about
===
There is a balance to be found [or made] ...
===

Or we could use 'balance' as a verb (rather than as a noun).
===
It can be hard to balance removal of technical terminology against
retaining essential meaning.
===

Or even not use the word 'balance'
===
Harmony between removal of technical terminology and retaining essential
meaning can be hard.
===

Which is the best way to write the sentence, for a second-language English
speaker? English is my first (and by far best) language. So I lack the
experience, to make a good judgement.

However, as an English speaker, I prefer the last
> Harmony between removal of technical terminology and retaining essential
meaning can be hard.

By the way: the rewriting has changed the meaning. For this, how about
> Removal of technical terminology may also remove essential meaning.

-- 
Jonathan
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