obSurnameCapitalisation: [LWN.net]

obSurnameCapitalisation:

Posted Sep 15, 2009 6:03 UTC (Tue) by paulj (subscriber, #341)
Parent article: Van de Ven: Introducing 'timechart'

Name 'glue' (I don't the technical name) - such as 'van' ('of'), 'de{,n,r}' ('the'), 'van de{,n,r}' ('of the'), 'of' ('or') - is normally not capitalised in Dutch, just as in english (surprise surprise given how closely related the languages are). However, the normal rule that sentences should start with a capital letter still applies. Hence, the article title should be:

Van de Ven: etc..

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obSurnameCapitalisation:

Posted Sep 15, 2009 7:25 UTC (Tue) by shalem (subscriber, #4062) [Link] (2 responses)

Actually,

If the sir name is used without a first name in front of it, the "glue" should be capitalized even if not in the beginning of a sentence, at least
in Dutch. Dunno what should be done when using a Dutch sir name in an English
sentence :)

Regards,

Hans de Goede

obSurnameCapitalisation:

Posted Sep 15, 2009 15:19 UTC (Tue) by mjw (subscriber, #16740) [Link] (1 responses)

> Dunno what should be done when using a Dutch sir name in an English sentence :)

The rules are confusing since even between Dutch language speakers there is a difference of when to capitalize the "tussenvoegsels". For example a Belgium name will always have a capital (or two), but Dutch names won't unless at the start of a sentence, or after an introductory phrase.

http://www.onzetaal.nl/advies/tussenvoegsel.php

So, to get it correct you also need to know the customs of the country of birth of the person :)

obSurnameCapitalisation:

Posted Sep 15, 2009 16:05 UTC (Tue) by jordanb (guest, #45668) [Link]

The Chicago Manual says this on the subject of Dutch names:

Section 8.13 Dutch Names:
> In english usage, the particles van, van den, ter, and the like are lowercased when full names are given but usually capitalized when only the last name is used.

> Joannes van Keulen; Van Keulen
> Pieter van den Keere; Van den Keere
> Vincent van Gogh; Van Gogh
> Gerard ter Borch; Ter Borch

obSurnameCapitalisation:

Posted Sep 15, 2009 13:22 UTC (Tue) by jake (editor, #205) [Link] (1 responses)

> However, the normal rule that sentences should start with a capital
> letter still applies.

Thanks for the heads up. I fixed the title and will remember when using Arjan's (or others) last name in articles as it appears that any use of the last name (without the first name or initial) should be capitalized.

jake

obSurnameCapitalisation:

Posted Sep 19, 2009 1:02 UTC (Sat) by gerdesj (subscriber, #5446) [Link]

... but jake (sic) why not also use the conventions of your own language and capitalize that J!

I assume that your own language is English of some sort.

Me? I like my J

Cheers
Jon