Intellectual 'PROPERTY'

From: Eric Chomko <vze2wsvr_at_verizon.net>
Date: Sun Jan 19 23:08:01 2003

Eric Smith wrote:

> Eric Chomko wrote:
> > I dunno. I think that in the context where the term "Native American"
> > is, the word "American" is always proceeded by a capitalized adjective.
>
> I am unaware of any rule of spelling or grammar that causes a capitalized
> adjective to have a different meaning than the same word without
> capitalization. Of three dictionaries I've consulted, none give a special
> meaning for "Native" as distinct from "native". Two of them imply that
> "American" should be capitalized, but the third does not.

"American" is always capitalized. "Native American" is quite different than
"native American." The first implies that the two words have a distinction
when combined. Check the website: www.m-w.com with "Native American",
it is a single entry.
Then look up "native" and "American" at the same website. Combine the two
latter as separate word entries and then you'll have you.

>
>
> > Now I'm not sure about the forms that you've been looking at, but
> > are you a native American or a Native American?
>
> Yes, I am.

There is a distinction between the two. The first case is two separate entries

in Websters. The latter is a single entry. You, sir, stand corrected!

Eric
Received on Sun Jan 19 2003 - 23:08:01 GMT