English term
Directorate general
3 +5 | not used as such by native speakers | Bernhard Sulzer |
Apr 21, 2008 02:28: Bernhard Sulzer Created KOG entry
Apr 22, 2008 04:56: Bernhard Sulzer changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/113160">Bernhard Sulzer's</a> old entry - "Directorate General"" to ""not used as such by native speakers/ suggestions below""
Apr 22, 2008 13:57: Steffen Walter changed "Field" from "Other" to "Law/Patents" , "Field (specific)" from "Other" to "Government / Politics"
Apr 22, 2008 13:58: Steffen Walter changed "Removed from KOG" from "Directorate General of Passports > not used as such by native speakers/ suggestions below by <a href="/profile/113160">Bernhard Sulzer</a>" to "Reason: Meaningless entry."
Responses
not used as such by native speakers
It is used in non-English speaking countries; it gets most google hits. (1400)
the other two get way less hits.
none of the three terms sounds good in English.
So it's a usage question but not really a native-English usage question (IMO)
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In the US, it's called "Passport Services Directorate"
http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/who/who_894.html
other non-exclusively English speaking countries call it this:
http://www.dgip.gov.pk/
Directorate General Immigration and Passports (Pakistan)
Directorate General of Passport & Residency:
http://www.destinationoman.com/getting.html
Oman
http://www.saudi.gov.sa/wps/portal/!ut/p/kcxml/ndDJDoIwEAbgZ...
http://www.gdnpr.gov.bh/
The General Directorate of Immigration and Passports in the Kingdom of Bahrain
http://www.migration.gov.rw/services.php
Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration
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Note added at 1 day14 hrs (2008-04-20 19:38:13 GMT)
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Answer to your first question: Directorate General of Passports is not wrong grammatically, but it sounds very informal, not professional. It sounds like an office where passports are physically located but it does not express the "function" and importance of the office although this should be conveyed through the title. The "function" is issuing etc. of passports, in other words, passport services.
I would say it's okay to call it "Directorate General of Passport Services" because it includes the function and that makes it sound professional and good.
To your other question: General Directorate of Passport Services would be grammatically correct also, but it again does not imply the official statewide authority/importance of this office that is always expressed with the capitalized "General" following the "Directorate", as also in "Consulate General". General Directorate sounds like there is another more "specific" directorate.That's all.
I would also capitalize the other nouns because it's an official title/name.
Hope this helps.
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Note added at 1 day15 hrs (2008-04-20 19:57:35 GMT)
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Other titles also expressing "functions" (although the functions might be different) and sounding correct are:
Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration
Directorate General of Border Security
Directorate General of Passport Control
see also Gary D's comments to my answer.
agree |
Gary D
: I agree with this one : Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, You may also look up Directorate General of Border Security, Or Directorate General of passport control.
8 mins
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yes, these sound better. Thanks!
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agree |
Jack Doughty
1 hr
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thank you, Jack!
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agree |
Phong Le
5 hrs
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thank you, Phong Le!
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agree |
Mehmet Hascan
17 hrs
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thank you, Mehmet!
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agree |
B D Finch
: Right, they all sound wrong. The example from Oman is the worst as it should be Passports (pl).
1 day 9 hrs
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thank you, B D!
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Discussion
Will the meaning differ by placing the word “general” prior to the word “Directorate” in the above statement? Please explain grammatically.