sprite writes
broodings from the burrow

January 15, 2010


grammar debate
posted by soe 11:32 am

Here’s a question for the grammar nerds out there to debate:

Let’s say a book is published. The powers-that-be have incorrectly capitalized some of the words in the title. When referring to the book in print, do you correctly capitalize the title or do you propagate the error?

Category: life -- uncategorized. There is/are 7 Comments.



Not a big grammar nerd, but I think you have to leave the title as it is, because that’s the title. It’s like the people who give their kids “creatively spelled” names – the poor kid is Abbyghale, not Abigail, much as it may pain people to have to spell it that way. (Note – I’m using a vaguely remembered example from somewhere on the internet – there may be no such cursed child.)

Comment by Sarah 01.15.10 @ 1:49 pm

I’d leave it as is and use [sic].

Comment by Kat with a K 01.15.10 @ 2:18 pm

Bad grammar makes me [sic].

Comment by Elspeth 01.16.10 @ 10:27 am

Couldn’t find an address for you to email this – in case you want to post or forward – this is from the web site for the Embassy of Haiti

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***SURVIVAL KIT DRIVE***

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Baby formula (dry/powder)

Baby wipes

Baby bottles

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Baby clothes

Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste)

Hand sanitizer

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First aid kits

Over the counter medicines

Socks

Blankets

Mosquito repellent

Flashlights

Batteries

Candles

Flip flops

T-shirts

Pants

Lightweight jackets

Non perishable food that’s not in cans (seal-paks of tuna or sardines, for example)

Think flat, lightweight, easily packable. Remember, L’union fait la force!

Comment by MJ 01.16.10 @ 1:51 pm

I’m with the [sic] crowd. Hope your weekend is going well!

Comment by Debby 01.16.10 @ 3:21 pm

I came to the comments to see what the consensus was, because that is a great question!
I nearly always write it the way the book says, but it pains me at times.

Comment by raidergirl3 01.19.10 @ 8:34 pm

I checked with David and his answer is “You leave it the way it is titled, because that’s its title.”

I would take it on a case by case basis. If the title had proper nouns that were uncapitalized, I would leave them that way, but if it capitalized “Of” “And” or other simple words that shouldn’t be capitalized, I would generally not feel bad about referring to the book with those words in lower case.

Comment by Grey Kitten 01.21.10 @ 12:14 am