Acronyms in old books?

NASCARaddicted · 06-02-2014, 10:13 PM

Hello

Right now I am scanning an old (german) kids book (the copyright on it is expired). However, in this book, they use some acronyms.

For example, "approx." instead of "approximately"

Or, to stay in the german language: a couple of times, the author writes "u.s.w." (und so weiter - this means "and so on"). Now I know stuff like this from newspapers with limited space, but in books? (Especially one from around 1910)

What do you think, should I change it to the full word(s) or should I use acronyms like in the print version? Personally, I think I should change it to the full word(s) but I want to hear your opinion. It would be different, if the meaning would change, but since the meaning stays the same ...

Toxaris · 06-03-2014, 02:18 AM

Depends on your goal. I tend to keep it as-is as much as possible, since I want to reproduce the book. I also do not convert the old spelling of books to the new spelling or the old fashion of quotation marks to the new.

Jellby · 06-03-2014, 03:46 AM

I wouldn't call those acronyms, but abbreviations. Unlike Toxaris, my goal is not to reproduce an old book. Old books are not free from poor typesetting. They may be reprintings of older books, sometimes with changes without the author's knowledge/constent. In old times, the authors didn't care much about spelling, punctuation, etc. that was the typesetter's job, so being "true to the author's intent" does not necessarily include respecting all the typesetting.

I have in some cases replaces abbreviations with their full form (D. -> don, Sr. -> señor) (except when it's "reproducing" a visiting card or something like that), because I think that makes easier to read, it looks nicer, doesn't change the story or the style and, besides, I've seen new editions of the same works do the same. And, as explained above, I have no evidence the source digital text I start with is in any way closer to the author's wish.

AlexBell · 06-08-2014, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellby

I wouldn't call those acronyms, but abbreviations. Unlike Toxaris, my goal is not to reproduce an old book. Old books are not free from poor typesetting. They may be reprintings of older books, sometimes with changes without the author's knowledge/constent. In old times, the authors didn't care much about spelling, punctuation, etc. that was the typesetter's job, so being "true to the author's intent" does not necessarily include respecting all the typesetting.

I have in some cases replaces abbreviations with their full form (D. -> don, Sr. -> señor) (except when it's "reproducing" a visiting card or something like that), because I think that makes easier to read, it looks nicer, doesn't change the story or the style and, besides, I've seen new editions of the same works do the same. And, as explained above, I have no evidence the source digital text I start with is in any way closer to the author's wish.

For what it is worth I like your approach.

mrmikel · 06-09-2014, 07:50 PM

I would change things only if it were a work of science used currently, so that information would be more easily accessed. Otherwise you are taking away from the flavor of how things were at the time.

It is all to easy to slip into why didn't they do this when considering the actions of persons in a book. The old expressions remind you, no penicillin in 1900, etc.

NASCARaddicted · 06-09-2014, 10:37 PM

Thanks for all your opinions

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmikel

I would change things only if it were a work of science used currently, so that information would be more easily accessed. Otherwise you are taking away from the flavor of how things were at the time.

It is all to easy to slip into why didn't they do this when considering the actions of persons in a book. The old expressions remind you, no penicillin in 1900, etc.

I see what you mean, but the thing is: this expressions (acronyms or abbreviations) are still used nowadays, but usually just in newspapers. I believe it is uncommon for a kids book (or even an adult book) from around 1900. Nowadays, it is uncommon in a book. Also I think, changing from acronym to full expressions doesn't change much on the meaning of the book.

And just to add: I have this series of kids books from around the 1920s (I am focused on kids books). In one this one book, they mention the city S. Paulo. In the next book, released just 1 year later, from the same publisher, the spelling is changed to Sao Paulo.

So I decided to use the full expressions, not just the acronyms.

mrmikel · 06-10-2014, 07:39 AM

It seems very reasonable under the circumstances, especially if they are public domain and there is no author to moan about how you have desecrated their precious layout. A child is going to have an interesting time trying to figure out who S. Paolo is and wondering when he or she wandered into the book!!!

06-02-2014, 10:13 PM	#1
NASCARaddicted Addict Posts: 340 Karma: 43106 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Germany Device: BeBook One, Pocketbook Touch, Pocketbook Touch HD	Acronyms in old books? Hello Right now I am scanning an old (german) kids book (the copyright on it is expired). However, in this book, they use some acronyms. For example, "approx." instead of "approximately" Or, to stay in the german language: a couple of times, the author writes "u.s.w." (und so weiter - this means "and so on"). Now I know stuff like this from newspapers with limited space, but in books? (Especially one from around 1910) What do you think, should I change it to the full word(s) or should I use acronyms like in the print version? Personally, I think I should change it to the full word(s) but I want to hear your opinion. It would be different, if the meaning would change, but since the meaning stays the same ...

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06-03-2014, 02:18 AM	#2
Toxaris Wizard Posts: 4,520 Karma: 121692313 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Heemskerk, NL Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura	Depends on your goal. I tend to keep it as-is as much as possible, since I want to reproduce the book. I also do not convert the old spelling of books to the new spelling or the old fashion of quotation marks to the new.

06-03-2014, 03:46 AM	#3
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,516 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	I wouldn't call those acronyms, but abbreviations. Unlike Toxaris, my goal is not to reproduce an old book. Old books are not free from poor typesetting. They may be reprintings of older books, sometimes with changes without the author's knowledge/constent. In old times, the authors didn't care much about spelling, punctuation, etc. that was the typesetter's job, so being "true to the author's intent" does not necessarily include respecting all the typesetting. I have in some cases replaces abbreviations with their full form (D. -> don, Sr. -> señor) (except when it's "reproducing" a visiting card or something like that), because I think that makes easier to read, it looks nicer, doesn't change the story or the style and, besides, I've seen new editions of the same works do the same. And, as explained above, I have no evidence the source digital text I start with is in any way closer to the author's wish.

06-09-2014, 07:50 PM	#5
mrmikel Color me gone Posts: 2,089 Karma: 1445295 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Oregon Coast Device: PRS-300	I would change things only if it were a work of science used currently, so that information would be more easily accessed. Otherwise you are taking away from the flavor of how things were at the time. It is all to easy to slip into why didn't they do this when considering the actions of persons in a book. The old expressions remind you, no penicillin in 1900, etc.

06-10-2014, 07:39 AM	#7
mrmikel Color me gone Posts: 2,089 Karma: 1445295 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Oregon Coast Device: PRS-300	It seems very reasonable under the circumstances, especially if they are public domain and there is no author to moan about how you have desecrated their precious layout. A child is going to have an interesting time trying to figure out who S. Paolo is and wondering when he or she wandered into the book!!!

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