[projectaon] Re: serial comma
- From: Hooligans in Kilts <hooligans_in_kilts@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 19:54:07 -0700 (PDT)
Pent up might be a good description. Being a college student, we are taught
in all of our English courses that for research for anything, never trust
anything other than org, gov, or edu sites as anything else there is no
accountability as to the content within. As for the comma thing, true, I've
never heard of a serial comma. Like Mr. Durrant said we are taught to use a
comma after words like, and, but, however, or in addition. Or like in what I
just typed, things that are part of a set of three or more. Though it may be
possible that *IS* a serial comma, because it is a serial list of items in a
grouping. This is taken from the MLA style of formatting American schools
teach from. Britain and other countries may be different. I don't know and
since i live in the U.S.A. it doesn't affect me in any case.
Anyway, just my .02 worth, which by today's dollar, is what .000002? =)
----- Original Message ----
From: James Durrant <james.durrant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, April 3, 2008 6:46:48 PM
Subject: [projectaon] Re: serial comma
Speaking in plain English (I'd never heard of a serial comma!) I was always
taught that a comma was not needed before "and" for example.
Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 11:41:39 +1300
From: callmeinstead@xxxxxxxxx
To: projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [projectaon] Re: serial comma
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
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