Semantic discussion on the phrase "Title Case"

[Doitsu]

Originally Posted by Tex2002ans

[...] most of the automated tools out there cause mistakes.

There's an improved title case algorithm by John Gruber, which has been ported to JavaScript and Python.
Based on my preliminary tests, the results are better than the default Python title() function, but by no means perfect.

[Tex2002ans]

Originally Posted by AlanHK

There isn't any other choice with those, except all caps.

Even with Proper Nouns it gets tough. You have names like Hernando de Soto (or "de la" is very common in Spanish). Or "van" + "von" + a whole host of other lowercase surnames. Or names with caps in the middle like McCormick.

Side Note: This capitalization issue also creeps up in how to alphabetize Indexes.

Originally Posted by Doitsu

There's an improved title case algorithm by John Gruber, which has been ported to JavaScript and Python.
Based on my preliminary tests, the results are better than the default Python title() function, but by no means perfect.

When I first got annoyed at this Title Casing problem, I actually tried to code up a little Python tool using that package. I put that project on hold though, because that package had many of the same problems mentioned above. :P

I may have to revisit it though and do more thorough testing.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by Notjohn

The TOC follows standard title-capitalization rules, i.e.:

Finds Print of Man's Foot on the Sand

See Fig. 1.9 in the Chicago Manual of Style.

My edition of CMS has Madison's Chronology as Fig 1.9

Rules are in 8.157 - Principles of Headline Style Capitalization, in which one finds this

The following rules, though occasionally arbitrary, are intended primarily to facilitate the consistent styling of titles mentioned or cited in text and notes

I doubt any of Title case software routines would shift 'Four theories concerning the gospel according to Matthew', to 'Four Theories concerning the Gospel according to Matthew'. Hence my earlier 'spit and polish' comment.

My preference for 'Sentence case' is personal. Very occasionally I'm writing for news media, so I use their house rules. Most non-US news publishers do not use AP headline styles (similar to CMS), e.g. these from today's The Times of India - 'Lebanon PM confirms he will return to Beirut' and 'Buying gold online: 9 things you must not miss'

Added : YAC&P titlecase site ==>> https://headlinecapitalization.com/

BR

[theducks]

Originally Posted by AlanHK

Really? Who could not understand "Capitalise"?

This is not about grepping and regexping, it's about chapter titles in a book.
What coders call a routine isn't really relevant to book editors -- the people who invented the term.

Though the coders who created this site: https://saijogeorge.com/title-case-converter did know he difference.

Anyway, it does what it does, but don't mislabel it. It is NOT title case.
It's a good start, but I'd have to finish the job manually.

For instance, it makes:
CHAPTER XI—FINDS PRINT OF MAN’S FOOT ON THE SAND
to
Chapter Xi—Finds Print Of Man’S Foot On The Sand

Captilise sees common usage as First letter ONLY
Uppercase all letters

Besides, many programs follow the convention used in Sigil and Calibre and it would be terribly confusing to have ONE oddball

[AlanHK]

Originally Posted by theducks

Besides, many programs follow the convention used in Sigil and Calibre and it would be terribly confusing to have ONE oddball

Yes. We must never correct an error but must perpetuate it forever; and change our English definitions to match the implementation of some coder.

[DiapDealer]

Dude, you really need to learn to let things like this go. It's a free program, it's a freely contributed plugin. That people listen and weigh your suggestions for improvements is a positive on its own. Open Source does not mean you get to have everything work the way you think it should (and be named what you think it should be named). You're running around trying to get Sigil and all Sigil plugins you run into conform to your own personal sense of book-editing feng shui and it's not going to happen. Please consider lightening up a bit.

[slowsmile]

AlanHK said:

Yes. We must never correct an error but must perpetuate it forever; and change our English definitions to match the implementation of some coder.

I really don't see how the above comment is warranted, concerning implementing "proper" titlecase in a plugin. As you well know, the LogicalTOCStyler plugin now implements "proper" titlecase. The apostrophe problem has also been fixed.

So why are you still complaining about this in such a catty and sarky way?

To make things clearer, I can only really describe my own driving concerns whenever I put out a plugin for Sigil. Prime above everything else is that my plugin has to be dead simple to use. If it isn't simple, I won't do it. So that's why I rejected your further requests to allow allcap acronyms and allcap roman numerals within titlecased headings in my plugin. I rejected these requests because it would have made plugin usage more difficult to understand probably resulting in reduced usage of the plugin. Another good reason, of course, would be that allowing certain allcap words within titlecased headings would not fit the true definition of either titlecase or "proper" titlecase would it? So to put a nail on it for clarity -- I rejected your requests because I had more to consider than just your needs.

[AlanHK]

Originally Posted by slowsmile

So why are you still complaining about this in such a catty and sarky way?

I was not referring to, and did not mention, your plugin at all.

This is a general discussion about terminology.

[AlanHK]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Dude, you really need to learn to let things like this go.

I didn't want to make a big deal about it. Much less make it personal.

You're the one who split off a minor remark and made it into this new thread inviting discussion.

I don't know why you target me alone. I think most who responded to your initial post pointed out that most implementations of "title case" were unsatisfactory.

I don't expect or demand anyone to jump to do things "my way". I just offer observations, describe problems as they come up when I am using the programs. If you don't think my remarks are worth notice, fine. Just ignore me.

[Acheron7]

According to the Wikipedia article Letter case, title case aka capital case aka headline style means to capitalize all words except for certain subsets, while start case means that all words are capitalized regardless of function.