Re: Data a collective noun? Norma has left the building.

["D. Margulis" <ampersandvirgule -at- WORLDNET -dot- ATT -dot- NET>]

Mary McWilliams Johnson wrote:
>
> Like Rahel, my sensibilities jangle when I read or hear "data are."
[snip-]
>
> On the other hand, I'll bet that no one would notice at all if I were to
> use the construction "data is."
>

Buck and Tilly Buchanan wrote:
>
> Data, when a synonym for "information" is singular.
>
> When referring to multiple pieces of information it's plural.
>
> It's a gray distinction, but when in doubt, data is
>
> Why? Because it just doesn't sound right.
>
> Anything that doesn't "sound" right pulls the user's/reader's attention
> fron the task to the word.
>
> Sometimes TWs must go against the grain of folks like my former boss,
> who said, "Data always are, because of my Latin background."
>
> --

We're reaching the heart of the matter with respect to Grammarianism,
"Correct Usage," and editorial judgment.

What "sounds right" is dependent on the precise moment in the history of
the language, the geographic community, and the socioeconomic,
educational, or occupational subculture the listener is part of. For
much of the language at any given time, we have a general consensus.
Otherwise we could not communicate with each other.

But at any given time, some terms and usages are in transition. So Bill
Safire's friend Norma Loquendi (That's a joke, Son!) tends to dither.

The smart editor solves this by fiat: For this organization, or for this
periodical, or for this document, we will consistently choose form A.
This decision is subject to change when I, the editor, decided to change
it. Period. That is the essence of what a style guide is telling the
writer, if more politely.

So for all of these weighty questions we sometimes get to vote on--is it
log on or log in; is it E-mail or e-mail or email; is it data are or
data is--the answer is it is whatever a given
editor/manager/one-and-only tech writer decides it is for the purpose of
the style guide he or she is composing. Mary can write her style guide
to conform to her taste. Buck and Tilly can write theirs to conform to
their taste. And I can write mine to conform to my taste. It's okay.
None of us is wrong.

A chacun son gout.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

To each his [sic] own.

That's what makes chocolate and vanilla.

'nuff said. Happy Fourth.