Sunday, April 18, 2004
Apostrophe's: They're not just for Americans to misuse
Here is an oldie from Dave Barry.
Dear Mister Language Person: What is the purpose of the apostrophe?
Answer: The apostrophe is used mainly in hand-lettered small business signs to alert the reader than an "S" is coming up at the end of a word, as in: WE DO NOT EXCEPT PERSONAL CHECK'S, or: NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ITEM'S. Another important grammar concept to bear in mind when creating hand- lettered small-business signs is that you should put quotation marks around random words for decoration, as in "TRY" OUR HOT DOG'S, or even TRY "OUR" HOT DOG'S.
Even top professional writers have trouble with apostrophes, which is why it is important to remember the Three Rules For When To Use Apostrophe's:
1. TO INDICATE CONTRACTIONS.
Example: "This childbirth really hurt's!''
2. IN HERPETOLOGICAL PHRASES.
Example: "There's snake's in the Nut 'n' Honey!''
3. IN LETTERS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Example: "Dear Moron's:''
Thus quoth Dave Barry, © The Miami Herald.
Here in Israel, there is an additional use: to translate the word "shel" (shin lamed), which is a preposition traditionally used to indicate the genetive.
e.g.
In another quirk of Hebrew, in an expression using two juxtaposed nouns, "shel" can also be replaced with the construct form of the first noun. This is called semikhouth in Hebrew. You should find a way to use an apostrophe if translating from this kind of expression, too.
e.g.
The most important thing for Israelis to remember when translating from Hebrew into English is that you need never ask help from native English speakers. Never mind that they could spot-correct mistakes in three seconds. You studied enough English in school, and you're a sabra, dammit! It would be a grave embarrassment to ask for help. You should, by all means, go ahead and print road signs, shirts, or the name of your business, based on your high-school knowledge of English. You gotta save face.
Here is an oldie from Dave Barry.
Dear Mister Language Person: What is the purpose of the apostrophe?
Answer: The apostrophe is used mainly in hand-lettered small business signs to alert the reader than an "S" is coming up at the end of a word, as in: WE DO NOT EXCEPT PERSONAL CHECK'S, or: NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ITEM'S. Another important grammar concept to bear in mind when creating hand- lettered small-business signs is that you should put quotation marks around random words for decoration, as in "TRY" OUR HOT DOG'S, or even TRY "OUR" HOT DOG'S.
Even top professional writers have trouble with apostrophes, which is why it is important to remember the Three Rules For When To Use Apostrophe's:
1. TO INDICATE CONTRACTIONS.
Example: "This childbirth really hurt's!''
2. IN HERPETOLOGICAL PHRASES.
Example: "There's snake's in the Nut 'n' Honey!''
3. IN LETTERS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Example: "Dear Moron's:''
Thus quoth Dave Barry, © The Miami Herald.
Here in Israel, there is an additional use: to translate the word "shel" (shin lamed), which is a preposition traditionally used to indicate the genetive.
e.g.
- HaOphanayim shel Shlomo = Solomon's bicycle. (Note the translation of proper names, based on another Israeli rule that every word must be translated into English as much as is humanly possible.)
- Erev shel shoshanim => Roses' evening
- Tefilloth shel Shabbath => Saturday's Prayers (or "Saturbay's Prays", depending on how much time you want to spend in the dictionary -- probably not too much)
- Yam shel demaoth => Tears' sea
- Avothoth shel barzel => Iron's vines (Note too that you can assume that non-Hebrew speakers are perfectly familiar with your idiomatic expressions -- a rule to be dealt with in a later posting.)
In another quirk of Hebrew, in an expression using two juxtaposed nouns, "shel" can also be replaced with the construct form of the first noun. This is called semikhouth in Hebrew. You should find a way to use an apostrophe if translating from this kind of expression, too.
e.g.
- Asereth Yamim shel HaTeshouvah => Asereth Yemei HaTeshouvah => Repentance's Ten Days
- Shalom shel Bayith => Shlom Bayith => House's peace
- HaBar shel HaHamburger => Burger's Bar
The most important thing for Israelis to remember when translating from Hebrew into English is that you need never ask help from native English speakers. Never mind that they could spot-correct mistakes in three seconds. You studied enough English in school, and you're a sabra, dammit! It would be a grave embarrassment to ask for help. You should, by all means, go ahead and print road signs, shirts, or the name of your business, based on your high-school knowledge of English. You gotta save face.
Pinḥas Ivri 17:52