Everyone has to deal with documents in one way or another, memorize the basic rules or check the samples on the stand. Because each symbol in official papers has a certain meaning, and incorrect spelling or interpretation will easily cross out many months of work. Today, the initial is part of the name with its own spelling rules. But has it always been like this? How has the term changed over the centuries, what meanings have been put into it? To understand, just look into foreign dictionaries.
Historical review
Philologists trace strict borrowing from Latin. The word is more often used in the plural, but "initial" is also acceptable. This is less common, but does not contradict the generally accepted rules. The original is called initialis, translated as "initial". Used in relation to the first letters of any expression or a single concept.
Modern interpretations
What is it about? The speaker usually means an attempt to shorten the notation. Classic initial letters - symbols:
- Name, patronymic, surname.
- Phrases or names.
Moreover, there is a rule according towhose surname comes first in the alphabetical list or bibliography. But in a statement to an official or in a response to a private person, first they write out abbreviations of the name with a patronymic. In both cases, do not forget to put periods and spaces as between independent words.
In the 21st century, it would never occur to anyone to cut the conditional "God's mercy" to "B. M., although earlier this was considered the norm. Within the framework of a thematic text with stable expressions, this initial looked harmonious, made it possible to save expensive parchment and avoid the risk of errors. In addition, it served as a kind of cipher. Now seen on jewelry.
Synonym for initial cap
When it comes to manuscripts, remember the old way of writing and copying books. Each tome is a work of art, where paragraphs should be elegantly separated and the exclusivity of the volume should be indicated. The initial helped in this - a specially designed initial letter:
- full text;
- chapters;
- paragraph, etc.
The author or customer chose what he specifically wanted. Change only the size or resort to ornament, stylization with the help of drawings? Until now, some publishers and writers use the method to give originality.
Domestic Use
What is the use of contemporaries? If you need to sign a receipt or agree on a contract, you don't have to suffer in an uncomfortable position, drawing every squiggle. Significantly speeds up many working moments.
