[Cz-editcouncil] Public comments for Resolution 0005

[Dr. S N Sarbadhikari]

Dear All,
This is to kindly remind all that the Resolution 0005 has been closed for
private comments. Now it is open for public discussion in the forum
[http://forum.citizendium.org/index.php/topic,1164.0.html] for 8 days.-
i.e., up to Wednesday August 29, 2007, 04:30 hrs UTC. Members may record
their formal positions at
[http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/CZ:Editorial_Council_Resolution_0005/Member_position_statements].
With warmest regards
Supten Sarbadhikari
Secretary, Editorial Council
The initital (only 2) private comments received are:-
1. John Moffett
Hello Supten and Larry, In general I like the resolution on language.
However, I think there could be issues that require the authors to either
use more general terms, or to specify equivalent words in parentheses.
Examples would be where a UK author mentions a large truck as a lorry.
Many in the US will not know what a lorry is. The same would be true of a
"lift" (elevator). So my suggestion for one additional rule would be that
if the author knows the equivalent term in a variant form of English, that
they put the variant next to the term in parentheses. e.g., The UK
produces 50,000 lorries (trucks) per year.... Just a thought.
Regards,
John
2. David Goodman
I think the follow is likely to be in practice followed, but I think it
should be specified, either as a general guideline or a required guideline
"Each article will be written in a specific variant of English, which will
be determined by the first author who develops it beyond the category of
stub"
Add: This language will when appropriate be determined by the nature of
the article. For articles dealing with places, institutions, or events in
countries where English is an official language, or people primarily
connected with such countries, (including but not limited to the United
States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand), it will
be that country's appropriate national variety of English. For articles
dealing with places, institutions, or events in countries where English is
a widely used but not an official language, or people primarily connected
with such countries, it will be the predominant standard variety used
there. If there is no such predominant variety, or for other subjects, it
may be any of United States, Canadian, UK Australian, or New Zealand
usage.
Queries:
1/ add South Africa to the list?
2/ specify that Hong Kong and India use UK variety?
Specify: This will affect grammar and punctuation, as well as spelling and
choice of words.
Limit: This will not affect unites of measurement.
-- David Goodman