Cunning linguists
Does de Waal go under d or w?!
Daisies246 · 21/02/2023 17:40
Anoraky question, I know! The books on my bookshelf are in alphabetical order by author, and I’m wondering whether to put a book by Kit de Waal under d or w. Any thoughts?!
queenofthewild · 21/02/2023 17:49
In the Netherlands (or indeed any country that uses de, der, van, van de etc frequently), you would file under W, otherwise nearly all your books would be in the v category!
I find in this country though often you would find them filed as v. Not helpful.
StamppotAndGravy · 21/02/2023 17:50
Waal. It's the Dutch version of le or von. If they're Dutch-American it's often changed to DeWaal though, then it's under D
crumpet · 21/02/2023 17:50
I’d go W on the basis that de means of - eg Marquess of Queensbury would go under Q not O
ErrolTheDragon · 21/02/2023 17:52
I guess you need a librarian...
Fwiw my chemistry text books list de Broglie under d, van der Waal under v etc.
MissCherryCakeyBun · 21/02/2023 18:01
de Val goes under D in a library 10+ years of library shelving here
Spanielsarepainless · 21/02/2023 18:12
D as it's part of the surname. Like du Maurier goes under D. By contrast, Frances Hodgson Burnett goes under B. My books are in alphabetical order by surname too!
JanglyBeads · 21/02/2023 18:36
Er I think Hodgson was part of the author's surname, it was her maiden name!
metellaestinatrio · 21/02/2023 18:42
My child has a classmate with this surname and the classmate is listed under D in the register.
Pixiedust1234 · 21/02/2023 18:43
I would look under W for that author. I've always understood its similar to "of" and you wouldn't put that under O
JanglyBeads · 21/02/2023 18:47
I wouldn't attribute intelligence or appreciation of foreign languages to a school data system!
Swearwolf · 21/02/2023 18:51
I always thought it depended on whether the de/du/von etc was capitalised or not. If it is, it goes under that letter. If it's not, it goes under the other.
CrabDuckDuckCrab · 21/02/2023 18:55
I'm a linguist AND a librarian and I would put it under W for all the reasons given above!
JanglyBeads · 21/02/2023 19:14
@MissCherryCakeyBun what sort of library do you shelve in?
ErrolTheDragon · 21/02/2023 19:17
Where would you put Daphne du Maurier?
I think MissCherryCakeyBun's lists show that in English, 'de', 'van' etc are simply considered to be part of the surname. There isn't a true analogy with 'of' - that appears in British titles but I've never seen an actual surname including it.
MissCherryCakeyBun · 21/02/2023 19:29
@JanglyBeads a large county library among others in the uk
JanglyBeads · 21/02/2023 19:59
I need to consult my colleague who moved from LA to school!
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.