[OSM-talk-be] int_ref, ref spelling, no space between letter and number....

[Ruben]

On Sat, 11 Aug 2018 13:11:07 +0000, Karel Adams <fa348739 at skynet.be> wrote:
> Excuse me for being pecky on language - for this once I feel free 
> because language is (more or less) the subject matter anyway.

It's not – typography of road references is. Typography is distinct from language in general.

> Where @jakka writes "space", and @ruben neatly follows suit, I think the 
> actual meaning is "blank".
> 
> nl "spatie" => en "blank"
> 
> en "space" => nl "ruimte"

"Space" in English has well over 20 distinct meanings. One of them is
 • according to Wiktionary[1]: "(letterpress typography) A piece of metal type used to separate words, cast lower than other type so as not to take ink, especially one that is narrower than one en (compare quad). [from 17thc.]".
 • according to OED[2]:  "In a text: an interval or blank between words, lines, etc.; (Typography) any of several intervals or blanks of varying widths used to separate words, justify lines, etc. Now also (in an electronic or typewritten text): an interval or blank equivalent to one character, which may be produced by pressing a specific key (cf. space bar n.)."

> Not wanting to "score" any personal hits, just for the common good: 
> allow me to recommend that English should only be used by those who 
> master that subtle language really well.

What the fuck?

> There is no reason for not 
> posting in one's native language, on a list of regional importance such 
> as this.

There is: on this list the accepted standard is to use English, as a compromise between Dutch, French and German.

[1] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/space#Noun item 3.4
[2] http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/185414?rskey=BIiqG4&result=1&isAdvanced=false#eid21540226