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IIRC, the general usage is that when the term "mother" or "father" (or "uncle" or "aunt" etc.) is used in a context in which it is a clear substitute for the name, it should be capitalized. Let's say you have the sentence:
"My mother came into the room." Were I to substitute my mother's first name, Wilma, it would make no sense: "My Wilma came into the room." If I am quoted addressing her directly, such a substitution would be clearly understood (although disrespectful!): "I know I said I'd be home early, Mother, but something came up."
This is a slender reed to use as support--more of an "I know it when I see it" sort of thing. Usually, for example, it would be "Give it to Father" (capital) but "Give it to my father" (no capital).
However, I believe it is safe to say that this is a distinction that has come into and out of favor over the years--and presently the tendency seems to be to reduce the use of capitals.
Perhaps I'm old fashioned in some respects, but I still cringe when I see email with no capitals at all--or in *all* capitals--because both are so difficult to read. Likewise the "IRC" shorthand (no need to hide, "4 u no who u r!").
David
These are the questions. I am editing a memoir. For 70 pages the words
"mother" and "father" are in upper case, and then suddenly on page 75,
chapter 10, they are lower case. And this is in the middle of sentences.
Now, my intuitive editor in my brain says lower case always for mother
and father, not "My Mother said..." or "My Father's thumb..." What is
the convention? Where do I find the convention when editing? What book
would have it?
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