The Nitpicker’s Nook is a monthly collection of language-related articles, interviews, and blog posts. If you read something that would make a good addition, email your suggestion to [email protected].
By Savanna Scott Leslie
- As technology improves, is it only a matter of time until translation tools become so adept that language barriers cease to exist? David Arbesú, an assistant professor of Spanish at the University of South Florida, doesn’t think so. He explains why computers can’t match the human mind’s faculty for communication. (The Conversation)
- A career in editing lends itself pretty well to introversion. Plenty of us relish the ability to work remotely and spend long periods in silence with text. No, really! It’s not just you. A recent study shows that introverts are more likely to care about spelling and grammar mistakes. (The Guardian)
- Internet: Should the word take a capital when it doesn’t begin a sentence? The folks responsible for the Associated Press Stylebook no longer think so. There’s a good chance this decision will affect some of your edits, and you might not like it very much! (Mashable)
- In our December 2015 edition of the Nitpicker’s Nook, we saw the Washington Post accept the singular they. Now a major Canadian publication is also declaring its acceptance of the still-controversial pronoun. (The Walrus)
- Among our colleagues to the south, the singular they and a host of questions about changing usage remain a hot topic. Junnelle Hogen explores some of the discussions that unfolded at this year’s American Copy Editors Society conference in Portland. (ACES)
- “What are you going to do with a linguistics degree?” If you’re studying linguistics, you’ve probably heard that one a few times. I certainly did before I switched my major to philosophy—ever the pragmatist. Steph Campisi, a copywriter, brand strategist, and children’s author, explains how her linguistics background has helped her career. (Superlinguo)
Savanna Scott Leslie is an editor and publishing consultant, and she’s also one of those former Torontonians who now call Hamilton home. Despite her philosophy degree, she’s gainfully employed.
This article was copy edited by Sylvia McCluskey.
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