Re: format of date strings : british english proof reader needed

[Jon Evans <saeng2oo@googlemail.com>]

So '14 May 2008' is the best format?

One thing to think about is that debian publicity lists are likely to be read 
by a very broad international audience. In which case the clearer you can 
make the information to your readers the more likely they are to read it.

Have the guidlines been updated?
Jon

On Wednesday 14 May 2008 12:28:46 am Graham Cobb wrote:
> On Tuesday 13 May 2008 20:53:09 martin f krafft wrote:
> > also sprach Jon Evans <saeng2oo@googlemail.com> [2008.05.13.2018 +0100]:
> > > We were always taught that the correct way to give the date is:
> > > Tuesday the 13th of May 2008
> >
> > I was most certainly always taught not to spell it out.
>
> [I am a native British English speaker]
>
> I have never seen a date written in that form.  I always use the long form
> (with "the", "of" and the ordinal number) when verbally giving a date and
> also when reading a date written in any format (including reading a date
> written in the form 13/5/08).  But I have never seen a date in writing
> with "the" and "of" -- it looks most odd.
>
> > But I don't insist. Yet, I like the MHRA style guide, and if it's
> > just by reason of it being published already.
>
> There is a lot to be said for using an existing standard -- almost any one
> would do.  On the other hand, the great advantage of using a textual date
> (i.e. not 13/5/08) is that there is no ambiguity so it really doesn't
> matter. Any English speaker (US, British or other) will immediately
> understand all of: "13-Dec-2008", "December 13, 2008" or "13th December
> 2008".
>
> > > Why not have a quick show of hands and then update the guidelines?
> > > I'm fond of 'st,' 'th,' and 'rd' myself but if they've got to go
> > > they've got go.
>
> I also write dates with ordinal numbers (unless I am writing it in numeric
> form, which I avoid except in notes to myself because of the ambiguity). 
> But if the standard says not to use them, that would be OK.  I think fewer
> people use them (in writing) now than used to (everyone still uses them in
> speech as far as I can tell).
>
> Vote: if we need a house style for dates, MHRA will do as well as any.  If
> we don't need a standard then just ban numeric dates and let everyone use
> whatever textual format they want.
>
> Graham