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transcriptions:rules [2023-11-14 15:55:33] – wordsmithing for clarity Ken Normantranscriptions:rules [2024-04-01 14:56:41] (current) – minor edits to Thorn bullet Ken Norman
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       * If a word is illegible, I'll typically use a sequence of underline characters in place of the unknown word (e.g., ''[%%____%%]'').        * If a word is illegible, I'll typically use a sequence of underline characters in place of the unknown word (e.g., ''[%%____%%]''). 
       * Sometimes I'll take a reasonable guess (based on context and/or similarity to other text on the page) and include a question mark (e.g., ''[twenty?]'').        * Sometimes I'll take a reasonable guess (based on context and/or similarity to other text on the page) and include a question mark (e.g., ''[twenty?]''). 
-      * Occasionally, if the word appears legible, but also seems incorrect in context, I'll just add a commented question mark after the transcription (e.g., "...Quingsby''[?]'' Swamp...").+      * Occasionally, if the word appears legible, but also seems incorrect in context, I'll just add a commented question mark after the transcription (e.g., "...Quragoby''[?]'' Swamp...").
     * **Money**: I will indicate money using modern notation wherever possible (e.g., ten pounds ''[£10]''). If old style notation is used, I will convert to modern notation (e.g., 4/ ''[4 shillings]''; or, 4/ ''[4s]'').     * **Money**: I will indicate money using modern notation wherever possible (e.g., ten pounds ''[£10]''). If old style notation is used, I will convert to modern notation (e.g., 4/ ''[4 shillings]''; or, 4/ ''[4s]'').
   * **No new content**: I //never// introduce new content into the transcribed text (except when contained within brackets, as described above).   * **No new content**: I //never// introduce new content into the transcribed text (except when contained within brackets, as described above).
   * **"Long" //s//**: The [[wp>Long_s|long s]] (i.e., the <typo fc:blue; fw:bold; ff:serif>//ſ//</typo> character) is an archaic form of the lower case letter //s//, which was used both in some early printing typesets as well as in handwriting. I simply replace it with a lowercase //s//. Some transcribers use the lowercase //f//, which is both grammatically and syntactically incorrect, so that practice is rejected on this site.   * **"Long" //s//**: The [[wp>Long_s|long s]] (i.e., the <typo fc:blue; fw:bold; ff:serif>//ſ//</typo> character) is an archaic form of the lower case letter //s//, which was used both in some early printing typesets as well as in handwriting. I simply replace it with a lowercase //s//. Some transcribers use the lowercase //f//, which is both grammatically and syntactically incorrect, so that practice is rejected on this site.
 +  * **Thorn (Þ, þ)**: The letter [[wp>Thorn_(letter)|thorn]] was used in Old English, and had a 'th' sound. As the letter became non-standard in the English alphabet, it was often replaced by 'y' which looked similar. Hence, we find words like 'ye' in writing and print. Wherever the context is clear, I  transcribe the letter 'y' as the 'th' it phonetically represents. Thus, 'ye' (the definite article, not the [[wp>Ye_(pronoun)|pronoun]]) will be transcribed as 'the'. I will do similarly anywhere 'y' is used in place of 'þ' (e.g., 'yt' ⇒ 'that').
   * **Existing line breaks**: As a general rule, I do //not// preserve line breaks from the original text when they are due solely to the text encountering the edge of the paper. This rule is driven primarily by two factors:   * **Existing line breaks**: As a general rule, I do //not// preserve line breaks from the original text when they are due solely to the text encountering the edge of the paper. This rule is driven primarily by two factors:
     * Such line breaks are not necessary for preserving the semantics of the transcription.      * Such line breaks are not necessary for preserving the semantics of the transcription. 
  • Last modified: 2023-11-14 15:55:33
  • by Ken Norman