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[mountain_ivy]

In another thread, pedant suggested that the use of capital letters in our posts is a criterion for others to take us seriously.  (I'm not quarreling with pedant; rather, I'm crediting him.) 

On other threads, we engage in voracious discussions over the use of "hu".

Both are modifications of the so-called standard English on which most of us were weaned.

I don't use "hu" because for me it is an awkward violation of those many grammar sheets I worked in my "Dick and Jane" days.  On the other hand, I prefer not to use capital letters in emails because I have a very weak left little finger and hitting the shift key hard enough may require several attempts for me.

So:  When is it acceptable in these fora to use hu and not use standard English capital letters?

[dept_geek]

<*ducks*>

ab1997by... I'm sorry. This has been pretty well discussed to death. You may get an awful lot of comments that won't exactly answer your questions.

I would like to calmly and politely suggest you read the FAQ and forum posting rules, and do a search on threads that discuss hu, it's usage (or non-usage) and who uses what when.

And yeah, I know. New people. New answers. So, have at it.

[prytania3]

Wow! We haven't had an argument over hu in at least 6 weeks. Maybe even two months.

[infopri]

I wonder whether larryc is back from Key West yet.  He might want to tackle the capitalization question.  As for hu, "I'm staying out of it."  <interthreaduality>

[mountain_ivy]

Folks--Ok, guess I didn't explain adequately.  This isn't about pronoun usage.

Some of us accept the usage of hu, yet it seems that many of us object to not using capital letters to begin sentences and for the first person singular pronoun.

Why?

[oldadjunct]

I prefer not to use capital letters in emails because I have a very weak left little finger and hitting the shift key hard enough may require several attempts for me.

My keyboard has a shift key on both sides.  I suggest you investigate that novel solution to a weak left pinkie.

[prytania3]

Folks--Ok, guess I didn't explain adequately.  This isn't about pronoun usage.

Some of us accept the usage of hu, yet it seems that many of us object to not using capital letters to begin sentences and for the first person singular pronoun.

Why?

Here is your answer. The CHE rules prescribe the use of capitals and correct punctuation. There is no rule against hu.

Please use proper punctuation and capitalization. Don't post in all caps. It's rude.

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,13084.0.html

[mountain_ivy]

Pry--Thanks.  I appreciate a clear response.

Oldadjunct--I am aware of the shift keys and of their function.  Please note that a weak left pinkie defies the shift key, which is what I intended to say.  To suggest that I am unaware of the function of the shift keys is at least mildly snarky. 

[daniel_von_flanagan]

Also to me word order rules about arbitrary seem.   Writing communication not is about, but expression self about is.    - FvD

[polly_mer]

As always, you are free to do whatever you please.  However, keep in mind that we are academics who professionally judge people on their writing skills.  The farther you deviate from the norm, the less likely people will be to view you favorably.  But, if you can live with that, then post in lowercase with random punctuation and make up your own words.

[larryc]

Use capital letters where appropriate or feel my scorn! Seriously, capital letters provide a visual break between sentences that makes them easier to read. Not capitalizing shifts part of the effort of communication from the writer to reader. It is lazy and narcissistic.

Hu is objectionable on many levels, but primarily because it makes a mockery of real efforts to gain gender equality. It marks the point at which progressive academics slip into self-parody. Alas, progressive academics are the last people in the world to realize that and so it continues.

[polly_mer]

Hu is objectionable on many levels, but primarily because it makes a mockery of real efforts to gain gender equality. It marks the point at which progressive academics slip into self-parody. Alas, progressive academics are the last people in the world to realize that and so it continues.

All right, I have to ask.  Why does hu make a mockery of real efforts to gain gender equality?  I would much prefer the generic hu instead of the clunky he/she.  I say this as a person who frequently receives emails with the salutation "Gentlemen and Polly".  I have just accepted the fact that I am frequently referred to as he (it was even worse the times I have had Chinese bosses who always referred to me as he.  Engineers are always male and any evidence to the contrary will be ignored).  Why isn't hu better?

[voxprincipalis]

Hu is objectionable on many levels, but primarily because it makes a mockery of real efforts to gain gender equality. It marks the point at which progressive academics slip into self-parody. Alas, progressive academics are the last people in the world to realize that and so it continues.

All right, I have to ask.  Why does hu make a mockery of real efforts to gain gender equality?  I would much prefer the generic hu instead of the clunky he/she.  I say this as a person who frequently receives emails with the salutation "Gentlemen and Polly".  I have just accepted the fact that I am frequently referred to as he (it was even worse the times I have had Chinese bosses who always referred to me as he.  Engineers are always male and any evidence to the contrary will be ignored).  Why isn't hu better?

Stop! Stop! Look up one of the many, many threads on this subject!

Warning! Danger! Skull and crossbones! Poison!

Turn back before it is too late!

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball!

VP

[larryc]

Hu is objectionable on many levels, but primarily because it makes a mockery of real efforts to gain gender equality. It marks the point at which progressive academics slip into self-parody. Alas, progressive academics are the last people in the world to realize that and so it continues.

All right, I have to ask.  Why does hu make a mockery of real efforts to gain gender equality?  I would much prefer the generic hu instead of the clunky he/she.  I say this as a person who frequently receives emails with the salutation "Gentlemen and Polly".  I have just accepted the fact that I am frequently referred to as he (it was even worse the times I have had Chinese bosses who always referred to me as he.  Engineers are always male and any evidence to the contrary will be ignored).  Why isn't hu better?

Just the other day I was telling a colleague that there are a million ways to frame an elegant gender-neutral sentence without resorting to a ridiculous made up word. My friend disagreed, arguing that "hu" served a useful linguistic purpose by replacing the even more awkward he/she/it. I demurred, saying that one could construct even a fairly long gender-neutral narrative in standard English, and that such writing was far less distracting than employing a lazy make-shift such as "hu." "Give me an example!" my colleague demanded. And so I did.

[yellowtractor]

Stop! Stop! Look up one of the many, many threads on this subject!

Warning! Danger! Skull and crossbones! Poison!

Turn back before it is too late!

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball!

We're quite serious about this, you know.  Especially the Happy Fun Ball part.  Taunt neither LarryC nor the Happy Fun Ball.