Comments on: eh?

eh?

casarkos — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 08:43:07 -0800

Words: Woe & Wonder The CBC explains and debates usage from a Canadian-journalism standpoint - for example, why the Iraqi ex-leader is referred to by his first name and whether to capitalize this place.

By: Space Coyote

Space Coyote — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 09:15:48 -0800

Are any other news orgs as obsessive about pronunciation and word usage as the CBC? Chancing to hear a segment where CBC reporters and producers start talking about the subject on the air is jaw-droppingly dull, but compelling in an obsessive nerd sort of way. They've actually done a quiz where the on-air people compete on who is the most consistently correct word ... guys.

By: silusGROK

silusGROK — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 09:43:47 -0800

Wow... that is, perhaps, one of the best arguments I've seen for using "Saddam" by itself. Very cool. Thanks!

By: t r a c y

t r a c y — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 09:52:26 -0800

haha, that's great. i heart the cbc nerds. thanks casarkos !

By: wackybrit

wackybrit — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 10:16:18 -0800

Eugh. This mangling of the rules of the English language is grotesque. 'internet'? There's only one Internet in common use, therefore the word should remain capitalised, much like we capitalise 'Rome', 'Paris', or the 'Pentagon'. If the BBC and the CBC want to drop the rule of capitalising proper nouns, then I'd encourage them to follow through on this ridiculousness and drop capitalisation on every proper noun. I know consistency is not English's strong point, but seeing as these people used to get it right, why can't they stick to the rules?(!)

By: bonehead

bonehead — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 10:18:22 -0800

The BBC has the grandmother of all style guides, but I think the CBC's is the more interesting. Not that I'm biased or anything.

By: jacquilynne

jacquilynne — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 10:52:27 -0800

This is very cool, thanks. I didn't want to work this afternoon, anyway.

By: DrJohnEvans

DrJohnEvans — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 12:23:00 -0800

Time to dive into the nerdy archive. Splash!

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 13:07:08 -0800

The writers of the what-to-call-him piece ("...uses both versions on its Web site") should read the should-we-capitalize piece ("...we've made a few changes around here, and now it's a 'web page'"). [My emphasis.]