Hi all, Our goal is to encourage the metrication of our country. Whatever our differences may be regarding specific 'words' or even specific names, and to some extent even the meaning of the 'words' in question, is superseded by the goal of bringing the USA into the modern world where trade, commerce, science and technology is dominated by the use of SI metric units domestically and worldwide. In relation to the goal of directed metrication of the our country, spelling takes a second seat. Let's get the country metricated, then we'll work out the details.
However, nuances and connotations of words are important. The subtle meaning of a word can determine the speed and degree of the successful accomplishment of our overall goal. For instance, when discussing labeling or dual-labeling requirements, it is common to use these descriptors - metric/English, English/metric, or metric only. What is wrong with this? For us these descriptors are clear and easily understood as referring to units used. But to most people in the USA, English means language, which equals national identity, which in turn means American...., whereas, by the linkage of one to the other, the word before or after 'English' is 'obviously' foreign. Thus the whole concept becomes suspect and unwanted. How do we unlink the linkage of the word 'English' to be synonymous with 'American' when discussing things metric? On closer examination, using the word 'English' in conjunction with dual-labeling descriptors is very imprecise, and may very well be part of the reason why the USA has been slow to metricate. 'English' is not a measurement system. It's who we are. It is America. All else is foreign. These are the nuances and connotations of the word in the hearts and minds of most Americans. So what can be used in its place in our labeling descriptors? The USA uses USC, which is derived from Imperial measurements. Why not, from now on, we use the following, the connotations are far different - metric/imperial, imperial/metric, metric only. Yes! There will be those of you who will say that Imperial is quite different from USC, and you would be correct. However, the word 'English' is much less correct than 'Imperial' when used in terms of labeling, and the nuances are much more ingrained in our national psyche as being anti-American. Just a thought! -- * * * * *Thanks! * * * *Tim Williamson Alabama, USA 1-205-765-6090 *
