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ArchivesA question about surnames used on their own vs. in combination with a given name
In Dutch a surname with 'de' or 'van' in front of it has different rules about the use of capital letter, depending on whether or not the given name is there or not.
example:
It's: "Vincent van Gogh", but if you drop the "Vincent", it becomes "Van Gogh". The V is a capital letter now, so it's clear it's part of the surname.
I've read several English news paper stories where I've repeatedly seen Dutch surnames listed like "van Gogh", without the capital.
Because it happens regularly it got me wondering this. Is the difference in the use of capitals only done in Dutch?
More languages have "de" or other small parts commonly used in surnames (these are listed on the site for example: French DE LA FONTAINE, Spanish DE LA FUENTE, Irish MACK AN BAIRD, German VON ESSEN, Arabic AL-HASHIM, Italian DI ANTONIO). How do they deal with the capital letters. Are all parts of names written with a capital? Are some parts never with a capital regardless of the use of the given name? Or do they also use the Dutch system?
example:
It's: "Vincent van Gogh", but if you drop the "Vincent", it becomes "Van Gogh". The V is a capital letter now, so it's clear it's part of the surname.
I've read several English news paper stories where I've repeatedly seen Dutch surnames listed like "van Gogh", without the capital.
Because it happens regularly it got me wondering this. Is the difference in the use of capitals only done in Dutch?
More languages have "de" or other small parts commonly used in surnames (these are listed on the site for example: French DE LA FONTAINE, Spanish DE LA FUENTE, Irish MACK AN BAIRD, German VON ESSEN, Arabic AL-HASHIM, Italian DI ANTONIO). How do they deal with the capital letters. Are all parts of names written with a capital? Are some parts never with a capital regardless of the use of the given name? Or do they also use the Dutch system?
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Replies
This is a matter of "Style", and is subject the the guidelines of the publisher. An English newspaper may not be aware of the distinction in Dutch practice, or may have their own rules. The AP Style guide says "lower case particles … when part of a given name … but follow individual preferences [where known]", for example Van Gogh, Van der Graaf. The New York Times says "consult the foreign copy desk" and for well known figures ensure consistency between publicity material and the news columns. For other guidelines they refer to those published by the CIA for foreign names.
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In France the particle with a lower case initial - e.g., Michel de Montaigne - denotes noble status; upper case initial - e.g., Charles De Gaulle - denotes non-noble status.
It should be added that the majority of bearers of the lower case particle have adopted it without right. France, being a republic, ignores such conceits, and snobs and social climbers take advantage of the lack of regulation.
I once read that Beethoven's friends tried to persuade him to change the 'van' spelling of his Dutch surname to 'von', thus pretending to membership of the nobility, but the composer refused to do so.
It should be added that the majority of bearers of the lower case particle have adopted it without right. France, being a republic, ignores such conceits, and snobs and social climbers take advantage of the lack of regulation.
I once read that Beethoven's friends tried to persuade him to change the 'van' spelling of his Dutch surname to 'von', thus pretending to membership of the nobility, but the composer refused to do so.
1
In France the particle with a lower case initial - e.g., Michel de Montaigne - denotes noble status; upper case initial - e.g., Charles De Gaulle - denotes non-noble status.
It should be added that the majority of bearers of the lower case particle have adopted it without right. France, being a republic, ignores such conceits, and snobs and social climbers take advantage of the lack of regulation.
I once read that Beethoven's friends tried to persuade him to change the 'van' spelling of his Dutch surname to 'von', thus pretending to membership of the nobility, but the composer refused to do so.
It should be added that the majority of bearers of the lower case particle have adopted it without right. France, being a republic, ignores such conceits, and snobs and social climbers take advantage of the lack of regulation.
I once read that Beethoven's friends tried to persuade him to change the 'van' spelling of his Dutch surname to 'von', thus pretending to membership of the nobility, but the composer refused to do so.
1