Re: MLA

Thanks to everyone for giving us pointers on how to do an MLA
reference. You'se guys are gold -- yiz always come through!

Maybe I should be extra-kind and put a sample citation on the
index page for the list, for anyone seeking to cite a post????

Will -- I suspect that MLA's date format is less military than
it is European. As my friends in Europe, Canada, Africa, Asia
-- ummmm, gee, everyone except in the U.S., it seems -- remind
me, the "civilized" way of citing a date is:

        Day Month Year

e.g. 25 October 2002

There's some dispute about whether one uses a comma before the
year:

        25 October, 2002

... but I think the trend is: NO COMMA.

I like this style of citation, except when done in shorthand at
the beginning of a month, at which time (if you don't know, in
advance, the style used) you can get very confused about what
date is being cited:

        05.02.02

Is this May 2, 2002? Or February 5, 2002? One needs to know
the format in use to tell, unless the internal evidence gives
it away. And heaven help us all if someone insists on putting
the year first, as I have seen it done:

        02.10.11

This was actually used recently on a piece of paper that passed
through my hands. After I had a few stiff drinks and a good
corned-beef sandwich, I rubbed my eyes and deduced that the date
was October 11, 2002. Let us pray that this abominable practice
never catches on in popular use!

Speaking of the MLA, who among us will be in attendance this year?
It's in NYC, and if we can get a few people together, perhaps we can
arrange a sit-down. Anyone offer to be present? (I live here, so I'm
nearly always in town, if not always available.) A merry band of
Salingeristas, anybody? That would be amusing on a frosty winter
night. If there's any snow, we can always make snowballs and yell,
"Ya morons!" while thowing said snowballs at inanimate targets.

If you think you'll be here, let me know. The location, according to
MLA's home page is:

        Hilton New York
        1335 Ave. of the Americas (10019)
        212 586-7000

That hotel is firmly in midtown, quite near Radio City Music Hall.

And the description from MLA itself is:

        27-30 December 2002
        New York

        The MLA's 118th annual convention will be held in New York City.

        The convention will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, 27 December,
        and end at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, 30 December. All MLA members
        and others involved in the study or teaching of language and
        literature must register for the convention in order to attend
        or participate in meetings, visit the exhibit hall, take part
        in the job service, or reserve hotel rooms at special MLA rates.

I have a couple of friends who are either seeking jobs there this
year, or who have jobs to offer. Hmmm, maybe I can be a broker, eh?

Anyhow, I'm not at work that week, and so I would be delighted to meet
anyone else who is present and willing....

--tim

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Received on Fri Oct 25 10:15:11 2002