The New Yorker Embraces Modernity

A Landmark Shift in Style at The New Yorker

The advent of email in 1971 coincided with Richard Nixon’s presidency and the ongoing development of the arcade game “Pong.” The Pittsburgh Pirates were also enjoying a period of success on the baseball field.

To illustrate a point, technologies such as email have now existed long enough to see multiple generations pass. Despite this, The New Yorker, a highly respected American magazine, has only recently revised its copyediting guidelines to reflect current internet-related terminology.

Updating Terminology

The magazine will no longer utilize the terms “e-mails,” “in box,” “the Internet,” or “web site.” This update signifies The New Yorker’s alignment with 21st-century language conventions.

Andrew Boynton, The New Yorker’s Head of Copy, detailed a meeting held in January where editors discussed potential style modifications. The discussion even included contributions from past copy editors.

This collaborative group of language experts reached a consensus regarding the necessary changes.

Balancing Tradition and Modernity

Boynton explained that while certain established stylistic choices – such as “teen-ager” and “per cent” – would be retained due to their historical significance, more recent conventions could be updated. He anticipated varied reactions to these adjustments.

This represents a notable evolution for The New Yorker. However, loyal readers can rest assured that the magazine will maintain its commitment to the diaeresis – the use of two dots above a vowel, as seen in words like “coöperative” and “reënergize.”

This practice allows both the magazine’s staff and readership to maintain a sense of linguistic distinction, understanding the difference between the diaeresis and the umlaut – a nuance likely appreciated primarily within the publication’s walls.

Style Quirks Across Publications

It’s important to acknowledge that all publications, including TechCrunch, possess unique stylistic preferences.

For instance, TechCrunch only recently received approval to employ the Oxford comma. This decision was met with enthusiasm and a sense of renewal.

The changes at The New Yorker reflect a broader trend of adapting to evolving language norms.
Maintaining a balance between tradition and modernity is crucial for established publications.