Answer: canon-specific capitalization

[green_grrl]

If anyone has suggestions for better examples (any fandom), please let me know!

windandthestars wants to know: When do you capitalize canon-specific proper nouns? (ex. the Sanctuary)

Technically, all proper nouns are capitalized, so the question within the question is, "When is a noun a proper noun?"

Comments

[green_grrl]

I agree: lowercase gate/stargate. It's the name of a thing, a certain class of objects, similar to elevators or computers, but the name doesn't include a proper noun, like an Otis elevator or a Turing engine. In fact, I'd even stay lowercase gate/stargate for the SGC's (at least after the original movie)--they know it's not special, but one of many.

That's the criteria I'd use for Big Stone Ring, too. If it's referred to as something unique and revered on a planet that only sees gods come through it, I'd capitalize. If the people on the planet recognize it as just a thing like many in the universe, then not; I'd use "ring of the Ancestors" for the Pegasus natives.

Also, are there different (or specific) rules for using nicknames of proper nouns in the narrative? i.e. Hammond peered out the window, absently counting the glyphs on the gate. It's the SGC Stargate; should the narrative use the properly capitalized name?

This one's hard for me to answer specifically, because I'd use the generic object names for the SGC's. And the rules laid out in The Chicago Manual of Style don't go into contractions, specifically. The rules do say that reference to generic terms are lowercased when used alone: Catch a cab to the Empire State Building and walk into the building. Personally, if I were one to capitalize the SGC's stargate, I would capitalize the contraction as well: Daniel enjoyed Rothman's gobsmacked look at his first sight of the Gate. But you'd have leeway on Hammond's counting; yes, he's looking at the Gate, but it's the gate he happens to have handy for perusing. Could go either way.

Thinkie questions!

[starglyph]

Thinkie questions!

I know. *g* And if it hadn't been you posting, I probably wouldn't have asked. It's just one of those little things that have bugged me since I started writing. Reading was so much easier before I learned so much important 'stuff' from my fabulous betas. ;-)

Thanks for the thinkie answers! ♥