Eleanor Finch
The use of capitalisation in the US Constitution has been a topic of discussion and confusion for many. While the word constitution is not typically a proper noun and therefore should not be capitalised, the US Constitution is often treated as an exception due to the American reverence for their political system. This is especially true when referring to the government document, in which case it is considered a proper noun and is thus capitalised. However, when used as an adjective or in a descriptive sense, it should be written in lowercase. The capitalisation of specific words within the US Constitution, such as nouns that are not proper nouns, has also sparked curiosity and debate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When referring to a specific constitution | Capitalized |
| When referring to constitutions generally | Lowercase |
| When used as an adjective | Lowercase |
| When used in a descriptive manner | Lowercase |
| When used in a contract, statute, regulation, ordinance, etc. | Capitalized |
| Nouns in the preamble | Capitalized |
| When referring to a named document, committee, etc. | Capitalized |
| When referring to a specific country's constitution | Capitalized |
| When used in the title | Proper noun, so capitalized |
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Capitalization of 'Constitution' in the US Constitution
The use of capitalisation in the US Constitution has been a topic of some discussion and confusion. While the word "constitution" is not typically a proper noun and therefore would not be capitalised, the US Constitution is often treated as a proper noun and thus is capitalised. This is due to the American veneration for their political system's institutions, which has elevated the status of the word "constitution" to that of a proper noun.
When referring to the US Constitution specifically, it is common to capitalise the word "Constitution" with or without the "US". For example, one might refer to "the US Constitution" or "the Constitution of the United States of America". In these cases, "Constitution" is capitalised as it is a named document and is being used as a shorthand name for the full title. This is a similar convention to capitalising "the Committee" when referring to "The Committee to Re-Elect the Erroneous President".
However, it is important to note that when speaking of constitutions in a general sense, the word is not capitalised. For example, one might say, "the singing group needs a better constitution". In this sentence, "constitution" is not capitalised because it is being used in a descriptive, general sense rather than referring to a specific document.
The capitalisation of other words in the US Constitution has also been a topic of discussion. It appears that most, if not all, of the nouns in the preamble are capitalised, with the exception of the word "defence". Additionally, the words "law and equity" are not capitalised in the body of the Constitution, but they are capitalised in Article III, Section 2. The reason for these inconsistencies is not entirely clear and may be a result of the stochastic sociolinguistic process of constitutional capitalisation.
In terms of guidance, the Chicago Manual of Style is a time-tested guide to style, usage, and grammar that is widely used as a reference for writers, editors, and proofreaders. However, it is not clear if this manual provides specific guidance on the capitalisation of "Constitution" in the context of the US Constitution.
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Capitalization of nouns in the US Constitution
The US Constitution, with its unique linguistic conventions, has sparked curiosity about the capitalization of nouns within its text. The capitalization rules applied to the Constitution are not consistent with modern English usage, leading to some confusion.
Firstly, it is important to distinguish between the specific document, "The Constitution of the United States of America" or "The US Constitution", and the general concept of a constitution. When referring to the US government's document, it is customary to capitalize "Constitution" as it is treated as a proper noun. However, when discussing constitutions in a general sense or as a common noun, the word is not capitalized. This distinction is similar to how other specific constitutions, like the Vermont Constitution or the Iraq Constitution, are capitalized while the general concept is not.
Within the US Constitution itself, there appears to be inconsistent capitalization of nouns. Some observers note that most, if not all, nouns in the preamble are capitalized, with “defence” being a notable exception. This differs from modern English usage, where only proper nouns are typically capitalized. The reason for this discrepancy is partly due to historical changes in capitalization practices. During the 18th century, the use of extra initial capitals was common, but this practice was eventually abandoned due to pressure from writers who wanted more flexibility in emphasizing words.
The capitalization in the US Constitution may also be influenced by the significance attributed to certain terms. For example, "Citizens" and "State" are capitalized, possibly indicating their status as proper nouns within the document. Additionally, the capitalization of certain nouns may serve as an indicator of specialized definitions within the legal context of the document. According to American law, a capitalized noun in a contract, statute, or regulation often signifies that the term is defined elsewhere in the document.
While the exact reasons behind the capitalization choices in the US Constitution may not be definitively known, it is clear that they deviate from modern English conventions. These inconsistencies provide insight into the historical and sociolinguistic nature of language usage, specifically capitalization, and how it has evolved over time.
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Capitalization of 'Constitution' in general
When referring to any specific constitution, the general rule is to capitalize the word. For example, we capitalize specific references to the U.S. Constitution, the Vermont Constitution, or the Iraq Constitution. However, when speaking or writing about constitutions in a general sense, we use a lowercase "c." This distinction is important for clarity and consistency in communication.
The capitalization rules for constitutions can become more complex when specific constitutions are referred to in a mix of specific and general terms. For instance, consider the sentence, "The Framers met in Philadelphia to craft the Constitution." Here, "the Constitution" specifically refers to a particular constitution, warranting the capitalization of "Constitution." On the other hand, the sentence, "The Framers met in Philadelphia to craft a constitution", uses "a constitution," indicating a general reference and thus a lowercase "c."
The practice of capitalizing nouns has evolved over time. During the first half of the eighteenth century, the use of initial capital letters increased significantly, reaching nearly 100% by the 1750s. However, this trend eventually reversed, and by the late eighteenth century, the excessive use of capitalization was abandoned. This shift was influenced by writers who felt that the standardization of capitalization by printers limited their ability to emphasize specific words through capitalization.
The specific capitalization choices in the U.S. Constitution have sparked curiosity and discussion. Some observers note that most, if not all, nouns in the preamble and Article 1, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution are capitalized. For instance, in the preamble, all nouns except "defence" are capitalized. This differs from the 11th Amendment, which exhibits a lower percentage of capitalized nouns. The varying capitalization practices within the same document prompt questions about the drafters' decisions and the potential influence of linguistic trends of their time.
While the U.S. Constitution's capitalization may deviate from modern conventions, it aligns with the practices of its era. The ratified version from the late 1780s, while differing in punctuation and capitalization from the official printed archetype, maintains the same wording. This suggests that capitalization was a sociolinguistic process influenced by the norms of the time. Constructing a statistical model of capitalization practices during that period could provide further insights into the capitalization choices made in the U.S. Constitution.
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Capitalization of 'Constitution' in other countries
The capitalization of the word "constitution" varies across different countries and publications.
In the United States, "Constitution" is often capitalized when referring to the US Constitution, reflecting a veneration for the country's political institutions. This practice is also observed in the US Government Printing Office Style Manual, which capitalizes "Constitution" when referring to the United States or a specific state, such as "New York State constitution."
However, in other countries, the convention may differ. For instance, the UK publication The Guardian takes an iconoclastic approach, often choosing not to capitalize "constitution" unless it is the first word in a sentence, even when referring to the US Constitution.
When referencing a specific country's constitution, some sources suggest treating "Constitution" as a proper noun and capitalizing it. For example, "China's 1978 Constitution" indicates capitalization. This practice seems to be common among English-speaking countries, where capitalizing proper nouns is standard.
Additionally, the capitalization of nouns in other languages, such as German, Luxembourgish, and Danish, may influence the capitalization of "Constitution" in those countries. For instance, German's previous use of the gothic script ("Fraktur") in German-speaking countries may have contributed to the capitalization of nouns, including "Constitution."
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Capitalization rules for government terms
When it comes to the capitalisation of government terms, there are a few rules and conventions to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to distinguish between common nouns and proper nouns. Generally, common nouns are not capitalised, while proper nouns are. However, in the context of government and legal terminology, the distinction between common and proper nouns can sometimes be unclear.
When referring to a specific government or country, it is standard practice to capitalise the word "Constitution" as it is treated as a proper noun in this context. For example, one would refer to "the U.S. Constitution" or "the Vermont Constitution". This rule also applies to other specific constitutions, such as "the Iraq Constitution". If the full name has already been mentioned, it is also common to use the shorthand "the Constitution" with a capital "C". On the other hand, when referring to constitutions in a general sense, the word is not capitalised, for example, "the country has a constitution dating from 1787".
The capitalisation rules also extend to government departments and some government terms. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is capitalised, as are terms like "the Cabinet", "Administration", and "Federal". However, when these terms are used as adjectives, they are not capitalised. Additionally, certain legal terms that are not typically capitalised, such as "law" and "equity", may be capitalised in the Constitution or other legal documents to indicate that they are defined terms.
It's worth noting that capitalisation conventions can vary depending on style guides and media outlets. For example, some publications like The Guardian may choose not to capitalise terms like "president" or even "queen" unless it's a formal reference to a specific individual. Additionally, the use of capitalisation has evolved over time, with the practice of capitalising all nouns being more common in the 18th century than it is today.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, when referring to the US Constitution, the word "constitution" is capitalized. This is because it is treated as a proper noun in this context.
The use of capitalization in the US Constitution is somewhat inconsistent. While most nouns in the preamble are capitalized, there are some that are not, such as "defence". The reason for the varying capitalization could be due to the stochastic sociolinguistic process of the time.
Generally, when referring to a specific country's constitution, it is common to capitalize the word "constitution". For example, one might refer to the "Vermont Constitution" or the "Iraq Constitution". However, when speaking of constitutions in a general sense, the word is not capitalized.
