Martin wrote on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:17:42 +0200:
??>> Martin wrote on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:43:37 +0200:
??>>
M>>> (euro plurals: euros, euroa, eurorna, euroene,
??>> cent/centime/,
M>>> eurocentime, centimo, Sentti, centesimo, eurocent,
M>>> cêntimos, centen, eurocenten, centene)
??>>
M>>> European Commission English Translation Service Style
Guide:
M>>>
??>>
http://europa.eu.int/comm/translation/writing/style_guides/english/frame_index_en.htm
M>>> (Frame version)
??>>
M>>> Paragraph 12.12 states:
??>>
M>>> The euro. Like 'pound', 'dollar' or any other currency
M>>> name, the word 'euro' is normally written in lower case
M>>> with no initial capital.
??>>
M>>> Guidelines on the use of the euro, issued via the
M>>> Secretariat-General, state that the plurals of both 'euro'
M>>> and 'cent' are to be written without 's' in English. Do
M>>> this when amending or referring to legal texts that
M>>> themselves observe this rule. Elsewhere, and especially in
M>>> documents intended for the general public, use the natural
M>>> plural with 's' for both terms.
??>>
??>> I guess it's OK if the rule is a "guideline". Many people
??>> don't realize that you cannot legislate the English
??>> language where usage prevails.
M> You can define how units are used.
M>>> In tables and documents where monetary amounts figure
M>>> largely, make maximum use of the abbreviation EUR (before
M>>> the amount) or the ¤ symbol (closed up to the figure).
??>>
M>>> Para 12.10: "The currency abbreviation precedes the amount
??>> and
M>>> takes a space: FRF 2 400; EUR 3 500; EUR 2 billion When
??>> used,
M>>> currency symbols are closed up: $100; £78; ¤120"
??>>
??>> The guidelines don't sound too arbitrary or onerous.
M> and yet the majority have got it wrong.
That's my point! A majority of English speakers cannot get a
usage "wrong" in the English language. Horribly democratic isn't
it?
James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland
E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
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