Marques du dialogue. Emploi des majuscules dans les titres

Abstract

J.-Y. Dournon : Dialogue markers — Use of Capital Letters in Titles As forty years of working as a printing corrector led me to expect there are numerous differences in the guidelines laid down in various typographical treatises, grammars, etc. This study examines the rules as set out in the Code typographique (1983), the Lexique des règles typographiques in use at the Imprimerie Nationale (1971), Gouriou's Memento typographique (Hachette, 1973), the Dictionnaire abrégé de typographie (in Nouveau Dictionnaire des Difficultés du français, de J.-C. Colin, Hachette-Tchou, 1970), the Dictionnaire des difficultés du français by J.-Y. Dournon (Hachette, 1990), etc. I. Dialogue markers : We will attempt to draw a simple "code" of the different procedures in use. II. Capitals : In the case of geographical names, the rule is explained, and, in the seven examples quoted, there are no less than four discrepancies : — les Iles Britanniques — les îles Britanniques — l'Amérique Centrale — l'Amérique centrale — le Comtat Venaissin — le comtat Venaissin — le Pays Basque — le Pays basque We will try to establish how such discrepancies occur, and propose a set of logical rules. Moreover, I have carried out a study among professional correctors from the main publishing houses, and their "in-field" experience helps to understand how difficult it is to put rules into practice.