That depends on the diff tool you use. TortoiseSVN's diff shows changes within a line for example, so the extra verbiage associated with the shift is not required. Besides, generally the number of times you have to check deltas to solve a problem are many fewer than the number of times you look at the code in the process of writing or using it. An idiom that provides clarity in writing and use is more important than occasional merge or delta issues.

Using the list assignment form makes it easier to match the parameter list in the call with the required parameters - the assignment list self documents the required parameters (especially if good names are used).