Re: Umlauts (was Re: Elves and Ill Bethisad)

On Friday, October 24, 2003, at 12:11 , Costentin Cornomorus wrote:

> --- Ray Brown <ray.brown@...> wrote:
>> [
[snip]

>> But, of course, for most Brits
>> 'Nˆel' is just as good as 'NoÎl' - it just some
>> foreigners'
>> "umlaut accent" which doesn't matter one way or
>> another.
>
> And in English it really doesn't.
But Noël is French!

> Anyway, I'd
> prefer the spelling Nowel.
But that's English, and obsolete now except in
Christmas carols.

If one is going to use French for some supposed
glamorous or prestigious reasons (who understands
the minds of advertisers?), then one should at least
IMHO take the trouble to do so properly. The spelling
'Nöel' seems to me not only to display ignorance but
shows lack of respect for French: "Yes, I'll use your
language 'cos it's sorta sexy, but don't expect me to
waste time checking it's correct."

Ray
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