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Post by nadiamead on Jun 2, 2013 2:18:32 GMT -5
Some town councils are refusing to use apostrophes in their new road signs. For example, St. John's Court becomes St. Johns Court. In their limp defence, the councils say that no-one cares anymore and that apostrophes are becoming obsolete. I beg to differ. What are your thoughts?
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dada
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Post by dada on Jun 3, 2013 1:41:13 GMT -5
technically the apostrophe in st john's court shows possession of the court by st john. it is arguable - does st john own the court or is the court named to honour him. dad's medal shows dad possesses the medal but harper as in harpers bazaar does not necessarily possess the bazaar. even the womens weekly - the women don't own the weekly
it's my understanding that the apostrophe is not used in names of things such as streets, towns etc it lassiters leap or earls court. I think it is a long term convention. You may have to check a very old style guide or dictionary. i am unsure if earls court is written with the apostrophe but that would be very old - if it were not, and probably shows it is an older convention to drop it in names of things. i think the signwriters guild or whoever runs signwriting may have agreed upon it. the apostrophe has been dropped a lot as language progresses, even older words which once had an e on them and words such as program (once spelt programme) do not attract an apostrophe do show deleted letters. even o'clock has become oclock
I think place names there is no convention to keep the apostrophe in and in signwriting it is difficult to do one
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Post by Kerrie on Jun 3, 2013 4:29:02 GMT -5
I am having more and more trouble with getting my apostrophe's in the right spot. It seems the more I look at it, or think about it the more confusing it becomes. What once came naturally now has me second guessing. Could it be because we are seeing the correct use less and less?
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dada
New Member
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Post by dada on Jun 3, 2013 5:57:38 GMT -5
best to scan the apostrophe use page of the oxford english dictionary and keep it handy.. if you are ever in the city go to woolworths and look at the sign on the photolab desk. it is so bad i nearly wet myself
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Post by Kerrie on Jun 4, 2013 6:11:34 GMT -5
I'm intrigued... do tell!
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dada
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dada on Jun 5, 2013 1:42:18 GMT -5
![]() [/img] don't know if this works or not, may have to email it |
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