Apostrophes and quotes (was Info for FF moderators and writers.)

[davewitley]

Sherry wrote:

> I also use screen reading software to operate a computer.  I can't 
express
> how difficult it can be to have to listen to a poorly spelled or 
punctuated
> email message or fan fic, since that's the topic.  Without the 
proper
> punctuation, the voice can just drone on and on, with no pauses, 
and the
> content can be hard to understand.  My personal biggest gripe is 
the use of
> an apostrophe instead of quotes in dialog.  I can adjust my screen 
reader's
> punctuation settings, so it doesn't say every period, coma, quote 
or
> question mark.  It will pause, or give a questing inflection 
instead of
> naming the punctuation.  However, unless I turn it off completely, 
it does
> say apostrophe, when that symbol is used instead of a quote.  For 
example,
> here is written out, the way my screen reader might say a line of 
dialog
> that uses apostrophes, instead of quotes.  This is what I will 
hear.
> 
> apostrophe, Hi.   how are you? apostrophe she said, apostrophe how 
was your
> summer? apostrophe
> 
> I usually won't even read a story that does that because the 
constant
> apostrophe drives me right out of my mind.  I don't know if this 
is part of
> the posting guidelines, or if there is a legitimate reason for the 
use of an
> apostrophe instead of a quotation mark.

I'm intrigued.  What is the difference between an apostrophe and a 
quote (mark)?

I call this ' an "apostrophe" or a "single quote", depending on 
context, and this " a "double quote" (leaving aside feet and inches, 
and minutes and seconds of arc).

In written dialogue, I believe it is customary to alternate single 
and double quotes where there is nested speech, for example, when a 
person is telling a story within a story.

Personally, I would be quite happy to see the end of the apostrophe, 
as it performs no useful function in writing.  We know that must be 
so, because we can understand speech, and nobody ever pronounced an 
apostrophe.

David, who wonders if it is Unforgivable to spell the plural of beta 
as beta's rather than betas