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Aberrant capitals miss spaces
(by Dave Lange - August 21, 2008)
Aberrant capitals miss spaces
They could call it the AmphiTheater. A capital "T" in the middle of the name might distinguish the modest outdoor entertainment venue being proposed for the hillside at Riverside Park in Chagrin Falls from what some people apparently fear could be confused as a theater-type building.
If they were to build terraced seating to accommodate an audience of 150 or 250 people, along with a small stage, it seems to me that not too many people would confuse it with an actual building. Still, Chagrin Falls is a town where they take their controversies creatively.
But what do I know? I'm the local newspaper editor who draws snickers around the office for my stubborn resistance to sticking capital letters in the middle of proper names.
Yes, I'm the one responsible for changing WomenSafe Inc. to Womensafe Inc., when it appears in print, at least when I catch it. I have great admiration for the Geauga County organization that provides assistance to victims of domestic violence. But I believe its objective could be accomplished just as well without a capital "S" in the middle of its name.
When I was growing up, I had teachers who emphasized the propriety of treating English language and grammar with some respect. If those teachers were around today, they could instruct the fine folks who operate the agency that it could be called Womensafe or Women Safe -- or Safe Women, for that matter -- but not WomenSafe.
A similar admonition should be issued for the so-called FirstEnergy Corp. How much energy are they saving by omitting the space that belongs between the two distinct English words in their corporate name? I'm sure they could get their rate increases approved just as easily through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio by properly referring to the company as First Energy Corp.
Speaking of PUCO, the Associated Press Stylebook, which is sacrosanct for most journalists, accepts initials as abbreviations on second reference for commonly recognized agencies. Some more widely recognized organizations, such as FBI, GOP and PTA, are acceptable in all references. But AARP, which used to stand for the American Association of Retired Persons, has not yet achieved that status, although some call it Arp, instead of Ay-ay-are-pee.
The TIMES in all capitals is not acceptable, even though years ago our newspapers referred to themselves in that pretentious fashion. We never did call ourselves the Tea-eye-em-ee-ess. Many newspapers still like to talk about themselves, such as in, "So-and-so told the JOURNAL that his opponent is a dope," so the reader can be sure that the Journal didn't steal that insightful quote from the GaZette or the HeRald.
My blood pressure soared when I read that the new chief operating officer for the Cleveland Clinic previously was with LifeMaster Supported SelfCare Inc. He should have gone to work for the MetroHealth System, which also has the unhealthy habit of putting capitals where the don't belong.
Back at Riverside Park -- not RiverSidePark -- some people have suggested that the proposed outdoor amphitheater by called Riverside Terraces -- thankfully not the riverSide terRaces. Yes, some people are insisting that proper names can begin with lower-case letters, which is even dumber than missing spaces and aberrant capitals.
It's no wonder that many schools these days are teaching English as a second language.
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