On Monday, December 01, 1997 11:23 PM, Andrew Waugh
[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] wrote:
>
> Stu wrote...
> > I would recommend that you follow standard proceedures that you
would
> > employ for other cataloging activities ... so, for names, I should
> > think Last name, first name, middle initial would be most desirable.
>
> First hemisphereism, now nameism... Stu's still carrying around some
> cultural bagage, I see :-).
Caught in the act. Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
> Suggesting 'Last name, first name, middle initial' is moderately
> problematic in an international context. The Australian Department of
> Social Securities once put out a helpful little booklet describing the
> naming practices of various cultural groups. The variety of name forms
> used was truely astounding.
Any possibility that this document could be made available?
>
> The other pearl of wisdom I remember from my bad old days was:
> Names are a mess. There is no good solution.
>
> andrew
But we need guidelines, imperfect as they might be. Might we have a
volunteer from the crowd to write a concise note on expressing names
that might become the foundation for best recommended practice?
Invoking thetime honored dictum that no good deed goes unpunished, I
nominate Andrew (whaddaya say, mate?).
stu
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