Geographic adjectivals

[horizon]

Does anyone happen to know when geographic adjectivals ceased to be used? Both the Guardian and the BBC have broadly stopped using them (I'm not sure about other publications/media). Also does anyone know why and by whom it was decided?

Reading the Guardian now makes one feel one is reading through the homework of an eight-year-old. What's going on?

[Jdsk]

What are they, please?

Thanks

Jonathan

[jimlews]

Does anyone happen to know when geographic adjectivals ceased to be used? Both the Guardian and the BBC have broadly stopped using them

Reading the Guardian now makes one feel one is reading through the homework of an eight-year-old. What's going on?

The Gruniad has always employed eight-year old journalists - hence their wayward spelling.

Geographic adjectivals ? Please explain

[seph]

Geographic adjectival,
Such as Afghans for the people of Afghanistan? Hadn’t noticed they were not being used in the Guardian , ( though I don’t read it much..)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_a ... nd_nations

[wirral_cyclist]

I believe Malta complained about them

[LancsGirl]

I believe Malta complained about them

Excellent.

[Pebble]

I believe Malta complained about them

they should be more worried at the vast amounts of migrating birds they shoot for fun.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg ... pshooters/

[Bmblbzzz]

Does anyone happen to know when geographic adjectivals ceased to be used? Both the Guardian and the BBC have broadly stopped using them (I'm not sure about other publications/media). Also does anyone know why and by whom it was decided?

Geographic adjectival,
Such as Afghans for the people of Afghanistan? Hadn’t noticed they were not being used in the Guardian , ( though I don’t read it much..)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_a ... nd_nations

Is this what you were talking about, Horizon? AKA demonyms?

I hadn't noticed they were no longer being used by the Guardian, but publications will change their style guides from time to time. Have you noticed which other publications are or are not using them?

I can think of a possible reason to avoid them. It might not always be clear whether "Afghans" refers to Afghan citizens wherever they are, anyone in Afghanistan, Afghan citizens in Afghanistan, anyone worldwide who considers they have Afghan heritage... Usually, though, it should be clear from context.

[simonineaston]

As a daily reader of "the Graun" I must rise to its defence. Their staff keep high standards these days, and they even know what an Oxford comma is (I know, cheap joke. I'm sorry...). The exception is in their live reporting, where typos are quite common - perhaps understandable as a) they're in a rush and b) probably trying to type on a device like a tablet, or even worse, a phone. See example below, where quote is opened with a double and ended with a single, etc.
Here's a link to their in-house style guide.

screenshot of 'live update'

[simonineaston]

ps, I have no idea what a geographic adjectival is! Keen to learn, mind

[Mick F]

Egypt - Egyptian
England - English
Russia - Russian
Sweden - Swede
Ireland - Irish

[Jdsk]

Egypt - Egyptian
England - English
Russia - Russian
Sweden - Swede
Ireland - Irish

One of those is a noun...

Jonathan

[Will]

Are we still allowed to refer to an English bottom bracket?

Will

[freiston]

I'm struggling with the term "geographic adjectivals" too. I've considered terms such as Western Somalia, the East Bank, Eastern European immigrants, American pancakes, Dunkirk spirit, and I haven't identified anything that I would deem to be a "geographic adjectival" that has patently ceased to be used in recent (living) memory.

[horizon]

ps, I have no idea what a geographic adjectival is! Keen to learn, mind

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_a ... nd_nations

It's just the adjectival form of the geographic name (usually of a country), so Wales/Welsh for example. It isn't though a demonym which refers to how we call the people of a country, such as Germany/the Germans.

It isn't always obvious but should be to the Guardian and readers thereof: our French correspondent needn't imply that the Guardian's correspondent in Paris is him- or herself French. Just because we might call the English football team English doesn't mean that we have to find an adjective for the Gas Works team.