Dear Robin,
Thanks for your comments and for your support.
1 I have removed the reference to 'dumbing down' as you suggest. This
came from some-one else's thoughts on this issue. But it added nothing
to the debate so out it went.
2 It is more than a 'trifle long', but my intent was to be thorough
and to give readers a source from which they could draw debating or
discussion materials. I'll leave the length as it is (however with
reference to your point 3 added).
3 I have added in your thoughts on the pronunciation of kilometre — at
the bottom of page 9.
Cheers and thanks again for your help.
Pat Naughtin
Geelong, Australia
On 2008/10/08, at 8:50 PM, Robin Paice wrote:
Pat
I found this very interesting and entertaining. I do of course
absolutely agree with you about the distinction between measuring
instruments and units of measurement.
Some quick comments:
1. There is an undertone of anti-Americanism - e.g. "dumbing down for
American readers", which could alienate some Americans.
2. Is it a trifle too long? Although I am an aficionado, I only read
the first 4 - 5 pages in detail, then skim read the rest,
alighting on particular points of interest.
3. I have a theory that the American spelling has led to the
"incorrect" pronunciation of "kilometre". See below.
Measuring instruments, such as barometer, odometer, speedometer,
clinometer, planimeter are spelt "er" and stressed or half-stressed
on the syllable preceding "meter" - thus, "barOmeter". The SI
prefix for thousand is "kilo", stressed on the first syllable, as in
kilogram, kilowatt etc. However, most Americans and many other
native English-speakers stress "kilometre" on the second syllable -
thus "kilOmetre". This is inconsistent and illogical, and possibly
derives from the failure of the American spelling to distinguish
between measuring instruments and units of measurement. See also
UKMA website at http://www.ukma.org.uk/Whatis/pronouncingmetric.aspx
If you think this point is valid, you are welcome to add it to your
article (at the risk of making it longer!).
Best wishes
Robin
Pat Naughtin wrote:
Dear All,
I have cobbled together some thoughts on this issue and formed them
into an article that I have placed at:
http://www.metricationmatters.com/docs/Spelling_metre_or_meter.pdf
I would appreciate any comments.
Cheers,
Pat Naughtin
PO Box 305 Belmont 3216,
Geelong, Australia
Phone: 61 3 5241 2008
Metric system consultant, writer, and speaker, Pat Naughtin, has
helped thousands of people and hundreds of companies upgrade to the
modern metric system smoothly, quickly, and so economically that
they now save thousands each year when buying, processing, or
selling for their businesses. Pat provides services and resources
for many different trades, crafts, and professions for commercial,
industrial and government metrication leaders in Asia, Europe, and
in the USA. Pat's clients include the Australian Government,
Google, NASA, NIST, and the metric associations of Canada, the UK,
and the USA. See http://www.metricationmatters.com <http://www.metricationmatters.com/
>for more metrication information, contact Pat at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or to get the free '/
Metrication matters/' newsletter go to: http://www.metricationmatters.com/newsletter
to subscribe.
Pat Naughtin wrote:
Dear All,
I have cobbled together some thoughts on this issue and formed them
into an article that I have placed at:
http://www.metricationmatters.com/docs/Spelling_metre_or_meter.pdf
I would appreciate any comments.
Cheers,
Pat Naughtin
PO Box 305 Belmont 3216,
Geelong, Australia
Phone: 61 3 5241 2008
Metric system consultant, writer, and speaker, Pat Naughtin, has
helped thousands of people and hundreds of companies upgrade to the
modern metric system smoothly, quickly, and so economically that
they now save thousands each year when buying, processing, or
selling for their businesses. Pat provides services and resources
for many different trades, crafts, and professions for commercial,
industrial and government metrication leaders in Asia, Europe, and
in the USA. Pat's clients include the Australian Government,
Google, NASA, NIST, and the metric associations of Canada, the UK,
and the USA. See http://www.metricationmatters.com <http://www.metricationmatters.com/
>for more metrication information, contact Pat at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or to get the free '/
Metrication matters/' newsletter go to: http://www.metricationmatters.com/newsletter
to subscribe.
Cheers,
Pat Naughtin
PO Box 305 Belmont 3216,
Geelong, Australia
Phone: 61 3 5241 2008
Metric system consultant, writer, and speaker, Pat Naughtin, has
helped thousands of people and hundreds of companies upgrade to the
modern metric system smoothly, quickly, and so economically that they
now save thousands each year when buying, processing, or selling for
their businesses. Pat provides services and resources for many
different trades, crafts, and professions for commercial, industrial
and government metrication leaders in Asia, Europe, and in the USA.
Pat's clients include the Australian Government, Google, NASA, NIST,
and the metric associations of Canada, the UK, and the USA. See http://www.metricationmatters.com
for more metrication information, contact Pat at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
or to get the free 'Metrication matters' newsletter go to: http://www.metricationmatters.com/newsletter
to subscribe.
