Thanks for the E.E.Cummings information.

I do note that between 1969, when the issue had been put to rest and the decapitalization had been debunked, and 1980, that the decapitalized usage had returned in full force. And where various publishers introduced the decapitalized name as an easily recognized marketing strategy and reminder of who the poet was, your author’s insistence that there is a correct form seems to overlook the truth. And that is that use of e.e.cummings to identify the poet and his works – works. In published works the jarring decapitalized name reminds the reader that E.E.Cummings included nonstandard usage of capitalization and punctuation in expressing himself.

Despite the telling evidence that E.E.Cummings is how the author, at one point in his life, felt his name should be published, the “stage name” of e.e.cummings is still good marketing strategy, and generally meant with respect to the author and his works.

Just think. I could have introduced an abbreviation into my comment for E.E.Cummings (EEC). Or maybe e.e.cummings (eec). lol!

In the revisited article I was interested to note a February 1951 reference from Jerome Grossman to E.E.Cummings:

“are you E.E.Cummings, ee cummings, or what?(so far as the title page is concerned)wd u like title page all in lowercase?”

That is, “wd u like” – a precursor to text messaging speak! Older than I am!

Note: http://www.gvsu.edu/english/cummings/caps.htm

I got a letter once from my ex-wife’s mother. The family came from poor beginnings in backwoods, Georgia. The letter was a single paragraph, with no punctuation or capitalization (which is a lot easier to read that all caps!).

While I found the lack of style to be telling about the educational background of the writer, I was able to successfully read the letter correctly.

e.e. cummings made a name for himself with the no-caps gimmick – and poetry powerful enough to be worth reading.

Sometimes we stray from proper usage deliberately, as when we use jargon pertinent to our topic and audience. To show respect to others, at times we will adhere to proper usage, and other times to variant dialect. Hola!, Si, and Un poco are not proper English. At times they are not just respectful, they are courteous.

And that is the rule I follow. Be proper to assure clear communication to the widest audience. And be courteous even if it means deliberately compromising proper speech.

Correcting someone can, rarely, be courteous – if they are interested in improving their attempts at proper speech or writing. Otherwise corrections are disrespectful. That is why pointing out improper word usage or selection, incorrect grammar, mis-spellings and such are more often rude – most people aren’t that interested in improving their usage of proper English, and most of the time we aren’t in a position of authority such that we are empowered to correct them. For most people, we *aren’t* their mommy.

Marksmanship with pistol or rifle takes practice. Practice, and often guidance and training. You shoot regularly, or your ability to hit your target precisely gets “rusty”. Sometimes you welcome an observation, a suggestion – find an article or web page with a useful approach. And it works, and you improve. Other times you find nit picking and nagging an unneeded irritation. Which is just the case with proper English. You expect your instructor to comment, critique, and remind you of what is important. Everyone else needs to keep it zipped – unless you actively look for input.

You work on marksmanship for the pleasure of shooting well, because you enjoy the company and competition of others that shoot well. And, because there may come a time that shooting well – speaking and writing correctly – may be important to your life.

Like with marksmanship, some people need good mastery of proper English in their daily lives, but most people need it rarely. Whether preparing for regular, daily use, or for rare occasions, preparation beforehand can reduce or avoid a lot of hurt and regret.

So many people from across the globe speak English and so writing in a standard form is essential for worldwide communication, particularly with those for whom English isn’t a first language.