Hi Pat System of International Units is the right expansion for the term SI. That is how we have read in our class.
I dont speak English at home, but still we use the English words like TV, Computer, etc and French words like Kilo, Milli, etc. So there is no harm in using the term SI and the entire World can use the same. Madan __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com
Dear Joe, Thanks for these notes and now having considered them, I would like to try to become clearer on my original intent. For many years I have communicated in Australia on various aspects of the international system of units and two issues are obvious to me. 1 Educated people can come to terms with the idea of an international system and even of using 'initials' from a foreign language. 2 People with less education baulk at the merest hint of 'foreign muck' and their attitude becomes a real deterrent to any possible progress toward a mindset in SI. Remember that it is only one or two English speaking nations who become the pro-pounders and foot-draggers on the path to SI. I suppose the questions that I am trying to come to terms with are also twofold. 1 What is the meaning of the symbol SI and the words, 'international system' if we don't include the word 'units'? 2 How can we avoid the profound resistance toward SI by those who simply reject anything that's foreign? Maybe I took the wrong approach in trying to address both of these question at once. My suggestion � SIU � could imply the English words 'System of International Units'. Perhaps I should have suggested that we keep SI as the international symbol, but change the English name to 'System of International Units (SI)'. Cheers, Pat Naughtin CAMS - Certified Advanced Metrication Specialist - United States Metric Association ASM - Accredited Speaking Member - National Speakers Association of Australia Member, International Federation for Professional Speakers -- on 2001/10/17 09.20, Joseph B. Reid at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Pat Naughtin asked in USMA 15571: > >> I wonder why the CGPM chose SI as the universal symbol for Le Syst�me >> International d'Unit�s. >> >> Had they chosen the letters SIU to be the symbol, then it could also stand >> for the 'System of International Units' in the English language. >> >> Unfortunately, my knowledge of other languages does not allow me to comment >> on the initials in (say) Spanish or German - perhaps Jim Frysinger and >> others could help with this. > > > > The metric system was developed in France, but scorned by Britain. The > *Bureau internatioal des poids et mesures* was established in France in > 1875. Its official and working language is French. The the English > section of the 7th Edition of the metric Bible states "Readers should note > that the official record is always that of the French text. This must be > used when an authoratative reference is required or when there is doubt > about the interpretation of the text." > > The Universal Postal Union, which regulates the international postal > exchange of letters, etc., is located in Bern, in the German-speaking part > of Switzerland. Its working and official language is French. > > > Joseph B.Reid > 17 Glebe Road West > Toronto M5P 1C8 TEL. 416-486-6071 >
