williamylee

[zealous sage]

Please be patient

Our volunteers look into many questions every day; sometimes it takes them a little while to answer.

Pro tip: you can rename the thread title with `.tr <thread name>`

Make it descriptive, including relevant context, but also to the point. This way you improve your chances of getting a more relevant and specific answer.

[wicked totem]

The former refers to a concept – Western civilisation and countries based off of that civilisation – while the latter refers to a direction

It's the English version of 'the West (European civilisation)' and 'west (as in that direction to the left)'

[fervent vector]

Can you not use "l'Ouest" to refer to the western world?

[wicked totem]

you can yes

[fervent vector]

Then... how are these two different?

[wicked totem]

The usage of « Ouest » to refer to the Western world is relatively new so in current publications you'll see « Occident » more often

[fervent vector]

So it is acceptable to use l'ouest in the sense of the West in formal writing?

[wicked totem]

I wouldn't think so