[plug] KDE en_GB i18n question!

[Bret Busby]

On Sun, 10 Mar 2002, John Knight wrote:

> 
> Is it really correct under British English (not in computing terms)? If it 
> is journalling under pommy speak, would you have objections to us changing 
> it? If there's some more people around that are also language inclined, 
> please answer up.
> 
> >
> >Journaling is correct
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: John Knight [mailto:anarchist_tomato at hotmail.com]
> >Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 9:50 PM
> >To: plug at plug.linux.org.au
> >Subject: [plug] KDE en_GB i18n question!
> >
> >Hey up!
> >
> >Watch out, it's another KDE en_GB question! In case we ever run into it,
> >
> >what's the local opinion of 'journaling' and would that not be
> >'journalling'
> >in proper English? The first looks wrong, I haven't been bothered to
> >look it
> >up yet, 'cos I'm a lazy arse!
> >
> >Hang on... I'm trying to remeber the other question....... nah, it's
> >gone!
> >I'll ask that one again later then.
> >
> >seeya!
> >KDE bloke
> >
> >
> >
> 

Since you asked, relating to correct English, I believe that the word is a
coined word, and, may not be part of the formally accepted English
language.

The word does not appear in any of the copies of the Shorter Oxford 
Dictionary or the Concise Oxford Dictionary, that we have.

The most recent version of the Concise Oxford Dictionary that we have, is
the more recent of the two (Shorter and Concise), and, it is the 8th
Edition, 1990.

The word "journalize" appears in the Shorter Oxford.

I believe that the word "journalling/journaling" is an instance of coined
computer jargon, so it may be difficult to find a "correct spelling" of
the word, without either contacting Oxford University itself, or, and
maybe easier, going to a bookshop and looking at the lastest version of
the Concise Oxford, to seek the word.

Otherwise, I tend to agree in part with Colin Muller; in so far as that
practice appears to be that where a single vowel is followed by an "l" at
the end of the word, so as to give the vowel a short vowel sound, the
action of the vowel (such as in marshal-ling, is spelt using a double "l". 

However, the reference by Colin Muller, to the word duelling, which uses
a double vowel before the "l" at the end of the word duel, is, I believe,
an unfortunate choice, as shown by the words school and schooling,
whereby schooling disproves the double "l" rule, if it is stated simply as
a vowel being followed by a "l".

Also, the words duel and school, are not simple short vowel sounds, so I
suggest that my principle as stated in the paragraph immediately before
the preceding paragraph, is more specific, and, more reliable.

Therefore, in the circumstances, I suggest that someone go to a bookshop
(which is the most likely source of the most up to date version of the
Concise Oxford Dictionary), and seek the word "journal(l)ing", to verify
that it has been formally accepted into the English language, otherwise,
to use the double "l" spelling of the word, on the basis that the practice
appears to be that where a single vowel is followed by an "l" at the end
of the word, so as to give the vowel a short vowel sound, the action of
the vowel (such as in marshal-ling, is spelt using a double "l". 

"Be careful of for what you ask, for you may get it."

-- 
Bret Busby
..............