[projectaon] Re: serial comma
- From: "Lawrence Ritchie" <callmeinstead@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 11:41:39 +1300
Hooligan
It sounds like you are more pent up about my using Wikipedia than what I
said. I cited Wiki out of convenience and because it states a fact that
backs up what I say, i.e. there are potential ambiguities presented by
either comma.
I used to work as a publishing editor and believe you me, the vast majority
of publishers don't bother with the serial comma. Every style guide I have
consulted in the past has recommended against it mainly because it's
superfluous in most instances. Besides the convention, this is also why most
publishers avoid it.
Going against the grain will only look awkward to the vast majority. Consult
a large number of publishing editors and I guarantee you almost all won't
use it.
If you still want a reliable source, find one yourself and you'll find what
I say holds true.
Cheers
Lawrence
On 04/04/2008, Hooligans in Kilts <hooligans_in_kilts@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> I'm sorry, I have an issue with people who use Wikipedia. If you are
> going to cite a source, how about one that is reliable? Wikipedia is barely
> monitored and anyone can go in and make changes to whatever they want to.
> Use an edu, gov, or a org site if you are going to use one. com sites are
> commercial, and net sites are just domains on a network, which can be linked
> to certain organizations or businesses.
>
>
>
> Sorry, I am not flaming this person (I hope), I just can't stand it when,
> like I said, people use unreliable sources as a good source of information.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Lawrence Ritchie <callmeinstead@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Thursday, April 3, 2008 5:08:25 PM
> Subject: [projectaon] serial comma
>
> I imagine this was hotly debated to start with, but nonetheless:
>
> I balk when I see your adoption of the serial comma. Talk about
> unconventional! (In the British publishing world -- and Lone Wolf is British
> -- virtually every publisher eschews its use).
>
> It seems your main reason for adopting its use was to avoid ambiguities,
> but this is groundless. Whether you use it or not can create ambiguities
> (see ref below). It is easier to avoid it unless its use prevents an
> ambiguity (the editor's job -- and this is the only way due to the
> constraints of English style). I just can't believe you guys decided to add
> superfluous commas into the original works!
>
> Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma
>
> --
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> The secret of reallly being fulfilled is to know what your gift is and to
> live that -- and have compassion for other people, an understanding of
> other people's gifts
>
> -- Anthony Robbins
>
>
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--
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The secret of reallly being fulfilled is to know what your gift is and to
live that -- and have compassion for other people, an understanding of
other people's gifts
-- Anthony Robbins
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