[REBOL] English Syntax Re:(2)
From: rebol::techscribe::com at: 16-Aug-2000 14:13
Hi Joel,
you wrote:
>The archaic "punctuation inside quotes" rule has NEVER made sense to me,
>and makes even less after a few decades of being a geek. Consider the
>difference in the sentences:
>
> The Unix/Linux command for removing a file is "rm,"
> which corresponds to the MS-DOS command "erase."
>
> The Unix/Linux command for removing a file is "rm",
> which corresponds to the MS-DOS command "erase".
>
>Unfortunately, I've had to read technical books edited by tradition
>fiends who forced the use of the first style above. The result was,
>of course, to render the text nearly useless to anyone who didn't
>already know the subject well.
>
>Maybe the Chicago Manual of Style will enter the 21st century soon.
Note that the Chicago Manual of Style - 14th ed. states:
5.12 Quoted words and phrases falling at the end of a sentence can, in the
vast majority of cases, take the terminating period within the closing
quotation mark without confusion or misunderstanding (see also 5.13). In
those rare instances when confusion is likely, the period not only may, but
perhaps should, be placed after the quotation mark.
NOTE the end of the quote: "... the period not only may, but perhaps
SHOULD, be placed AFTER the quotation mark." (uppercased by me.)
5.13 ... The British style is strongly advocated by some American language
experts.
5.86 ... In close textual studies and on similar rare occasions when the
inclusion of a comma may cause confusion, the comma may be placed outside
the quotation mark ...
I believe that using your preferred non-ambiguous punctuation could be
defended based on these quotes.
Take Care,
;- Elan [ : - ) ]
author of REBOL: THE OFFICIAL GUIDE
REBOL Press: The Official Source for REBOL Books
http://www.REBOLpress.com
visit me at http://www.TechScribe.com
