typing text in two languages in columns

[Josh]

Suppose I wish to type an article in English consisting of a few
paragraphs, side by side with a French translation. I set up columns and
get started typing the English text. Alas, at the foot of the first page the
cursor jumps up to the right hand column, when I want to stay in the left
hand column as I move to the next page.

Supposing that I have conquered that problem and have finished the English
text, I return to the top of the first page and put my cursor in the right
hand column. Off I go, typing in French (we'll overlook accents etc for the
purposes of this enquiry). I find that the first paragraph in French is
longer than the one in English, so I have to add returns in the English
column to maintain the first line of the equivalent paragraphs at the same
level.

Things get really out of hand when I try to insert a paragraph half way down
the article along with its translation: unless both paragraphs are the same
length all the following paragraphs will cease to have coinciding first
lines.

Things soon turn into a nightmare of trying to keep the first lines of the
two texts level.

For this enquiry, I have used parallel language translations as an example,
but the same problems would arise, for example, in an article where the
author wishes to put comments either on the right hand side or the left hand
side of the main text - perhaps even in different type size.

What are the formatting solutions? Apologies if this has been dealt with
before.

Josh

 

[ausongbird]

My very first thought is -- wrong tool -- try putting them into a
table. Two column table, no lines or backgrounds so it's invisible
when printed. Each paragraph in a separate cell. This will
automatically get them to line up. That may not work for you but it's
the only thing I can think of that I'm certain will work.

Now you could put a continuous break at the end or the first English
paragraph which would put you into the French column and type the
translation there. Continuous break to go back to the English side and
continue doing that all the way down. It should work but it might be
exceedingly awkward for the person writing the document. Although, I
supposed you could just stick an x or the word French in the second
column until you finished with the English side then go back and fill
in the French side.

Luck to you on this one.

Betty