ASI may have an official document out supporting indexes and differentiating between indexes and indices, but with all due respect, there is nothing wrong with using "indices" in any context. I have seen no dictionary or language authority that makes a differentiation in definition between the spellings. Secondly playing the grammarian on an e-mail list is usually bad netiquette. It's particularly fraught with danger when the audience of the list is international. The opinions of the ASI may carry little to no weight with the British, Canadian , or other equivalent national bodies. Just as the "preferred" spelling in dictionaries is more dependant on the nationality/locale of the publisher than it is of "correct" usage. Further more, their power over the individual is non-existent. As their opinions carry no weight out side their own organisations, no matter how they may pretend otherwise.
I won't argue the pluses or minuses of "-exes" or "-ices". Only that I use "-ices" and try to spell consistently using "-our" and not simply "-or" except when writing for an American audience. When reading, I will flinch at neither. As long as the document is consistent in its usage. Just as the thread was progressing happily with both accepted and valid spellings without complaint. I also endeavour to teach my children to use kid, calf, gosling, chick, et al instead of baby ____. Same goes for murder, gaggle, and flock. Even if one day these usages/terms all fall from "preferred" dictionary status. Let's go back to discussing FrameMaker please... Eric L. Dunn Senior Technical Writer ppresley at sbcglobal.net wrote on 09/27/2006 10:07:41 AM: > As a member of the American Society of Indexers (ASI), > I have to put in a plug for the word "indexes." > > This is the preferred spelling in most dictionaries > for the lists of terms with locators that are found, > ususally, in the backs of books. ASI also promotes the > use of "indexes" as the plural of "index." > > Likewise for appendix/appendixes. > > "Indices" is used by financial and meteorlogical > folks. I don't remember who uses "appendices" except > my colleagues who are thoroughly familiar with church > Latin. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail communication (and any attachment/s) may contain confidential or privileged information and is intended only for the individual(s) or entity named above and to others who have been specifically authorized to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, use or disclose the contents of this communication to others. Please notify the sender that you have received this e-mail in error by reply e-mail, and delete the e-mail subsequently. Please note that in order to protect the security of our information systems an AntiSPAM solution is in use and will browse through incoming emails. Thank you. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ce message (ainsi que le(s) fichier/s), transmis par courriel, peut contenir des renseignements confidentiels ou prot?g?s et est destin? ? l?usage exclusif du destinataire ci-dessus. Toute autre personne est par les pr?sentes avis?e qu?il est strictement interdit de le diffuser, le distribuer ou le reproduire. Si vous l?avez re?u par inadvertance, veuillez nous en aviser et d?truire ce message. Veuillez prendre note qu'une solution antipollupostage (AntiSPAM) est utilis?e afin d'assurer la s?curit? de nos systems d'information et qu'elle fur?tera les courriels entrant. Merci. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
