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GET REAL or Why "i" Should Not Be Capitalized, Unless It Heads A Sentence

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL 481.010183

Writers have been kept in a false grammar tradition since 1474 and protocol has not allowed there to be any escape without the risk of being labeled as "ignorant". 

There are plenty of "monkey-see-monkey do" creeds, "follow-the-leader" codes and myths still lingering around that we have submitted ourselves to being governed by without a single challenge....one reason is fear of wandering away from the "status quo".

WHY do we allow our freedom of carrying out our individuality to be stifled by that??  Hidden talent is OVERLOOKED at times because of "unacceptable behavior"  This is where prejudice originates.  This is also where to look for the next genius who may have the very cure we need!

We have been designed by OUR GREAT ARTISTIC CREATOR who has never apologized for fashioning us to differ in shape, size and appearance.  HE has granted us a lifetime to impart essences of our beings in whiffs of expressions all over HIS earth.....as long as it is in HIS permitted perimeters!  HE gave us a four letter word: LIVE!

Now for my point:  I do not capitalize my i when i use it in sentences.....why? Because i refuse to follow an  outdated tradition that is incorrect,  just for the sake of appeasing what is the "accepted" linguistic standards. I FULLY realize the risk of being labeled and judged. 

What has this to do with REAL ESTATE?  We are in the service industry!!!  We say we place our clients first - and promise them service for life!  If we believe this... why aren't we capitalizing their pronouns??????  We call capitalizing our i's grammar?  I call it "disservice" and believe it should be changed.  It's UNPROFESSIONAL!! 

I say it's TIME for GOOD ETHICS!  It's time to examine some of these traditions we have carried out that are old ancient customs which no longer apply.  If it's out of character, indecent, imposing, degrading, or any other factor that does not describe the message we desire to convey not only to our clients, but to our neighbors, family, and communities, it should go!  REALTORS® pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their clients. 

ALL IN FAVOR SAY i

I wish to thank Tim Maitski and his timely POST!  Tim, this blog has been lying dormant awaiting it's birthing.  You have supplied the backdrop for it ....thanks! 

     Big on "U"....All the way to the letter "i"

  History of why i's were capitalized:  

                                                                                                    
                                                                                                  

Comments (27)

Nick M.
Certified Residential Appraiser- West Palm Beach Real Estate - West Palm Beach, FL
Realtor-Appraiser in West Palm-South Florida Real Estate Appraiser

Diane.. not sure about West Palm, but at my keyboard, it works that way ;))  for me, it's a matter of expressing humilty. I know that i'm solid (and humble;).. so i don't need to capitalize it. check, check, 1, 2, check, ego in check..!  Also, this is what fueled my 3rd person talking. so, please.. nick says not to tell everyone, and nnick is coolo copying nick :)

I went as far as to write a post withOUT the word 'I' or 'i' in it. but no shameless plug / link here :))

nick will see you later, gator.  nick used to live in IL, all nick remembers arer the winters.. nick likes the heat in S.FL.  here is a 'big-up' from nick. gotta run, nick has an appraisal appt. :))

nick thinks you're cool. nick is cool too. :))     anyways, i like your spunk!

Feb 21, 2007 06:03 AM
Brian Foxworth SC, GA, FL, & TN Mortgage Loans
Palmetto South Mortgage - Columbia, SC
i
Feb 21, 2007 08:06 AM
John Occhi
AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ
Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

Diane,

Very interesting to say the least.  I definitely know why the H is capitalized in Him & He - never thought about the "i".

it would probably drive me crazy though - for example, when I hit the return after a paragraph, I instinctively hit it twice - then I have to go back and edit out the extra space to make my post read properly and look correct - i can just imagine how my fingers would work when i start typing with a lowercase i - already driving me nuts and that is not hard to do.

Now Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR
http://www.johnocchi.com/

Feb 21, 2007 03:16 PM
Ray Nellum
Envision Real Estate Group, LLC. - Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith Real Estate

dIane,

iiiii.  I am forced to add caps to the I.  I can't help it.  I know everyone has something original about them, but some don't choose to use it.  Let your creativity grow!  Keep on going dIane, keep going! 

Feb 22, 2007 06:55 AM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Diane....

I think Brian has said it best......

i

 

i

 

i LOVE YOU SISTER!!!  =-D=-D

\O/ \O/

Feb 22, 2007 08:35 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC

Tim:  i know not the answer to your question - my guess is "amn't"

Nick: you are kewl - i will read your posts

Brian:  i c

John:  John, yes, i know......it takes time though and now for me it's very natural! thanks for your comment

Ray:  you MUST do what YOU must do......remember:  i am here....and you are where you are!  be encouraged!

Alex:  Love u 2 Alex

Feb 22, 2007 11:25 AM
Brian Foxworth SC, GA, FL, & TN Mortgage Loans
Palmetto South Mortgage - Columbia, SC
i c u
Feb 23, 2007 01:04 AM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

i c u 2.......  =-D =-D

\O/ \O/

Feb 23, 2007 05:32 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Diane,

This was very educational! One of the best things about Active Rain is that you never stop learning.  To think I went through school and college and NEVER had this mentioned! :)  Thanks for once again contributing to the process of enlightenment...

Feb 27, 2007 03:32 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC
Lola, yes, life is a continual learning experience itself.  I appreciate an opportunity to let what's inside of me be made known to others such as you who have an ear to hear.  Thanks for your comment.
Feb 27, 2007 06:15 AM
Ed Vogt
Midwest Properties of Michigan - Grandville, MI
Grandville, MI Midwest Properties
You have a great and valid point, but grammar and punctuation and everything related to it is what I learned in school.  It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.  However, you're post is thought-provoking and excellent!
Mar 03, 2007 04:28 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC

Ed:  yes, we have been taught by educators who believed they were right.  It is not easy to change once the truth is grasped after forming a habit.....i really DO understand.  Thank you for commenting!!! 

Mar 03, 2007 02:48 PM
Sheron Cardin
California Moods Inc - Selma, CA
ARTIST - A Home Stager/Sellers Best Friend!
i think i will drop the capital I because i think i can type faster. can we drop first capital letters at the beginning of sentences as well? think how much more we can accomplish. i say we pass a new active rain law. i love it and it feels so free! thank you Diane!
Mar 10, 2007 12:27 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC

SHERON!!!!  You are awesome!!!  Let's DO IT!!!

sign this petition:_______________________________________________________________

get others to sign:______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

Mar 10, 2007 12:35 AM
John Evarts
Classic Property Management of Santa Clarita - Santa Clarita, CA
Is it any question that we live in a selfish society? Sounds like you are a believer. Amen, sister.
Mar 10, 2007 04:36 PM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC

  Follow up to this is here   -----------------follow up

Aug 27, 2007 12:47 PM
LaShon James-Major
The Document Diva - Long Beach, CA
Long Beach Mobile Notary - 562.314.4319

I'll have to really contemplate this one, Diane. This would be a hard habit to break. This would be harder than when I stopped double spacing after a period when typing on the computer. Ugh..

 

diva sig

 

Sep 05, 2007 07:24 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC

LaShon!!!  Listen, i would not expect you to have to adjust... especially being in the field you are in.  Remember to read the first post.... it explains why I DECIDED.... i never advocated others to adopt this....

I know i'm different.... a little radical, bold, rebellious against the systems of this world, etc.  It shows doesn't it?

Thanks for commenting!

 

Sep 05, 2007 07:50 AM
Jim Ludes
RE/MAX Top Properties - Coal City, IL
Grundy/Will County, IL REALTOR
Diane- i wouldn't mind not-capitalizing any and everything! And Lashon's dead-on....trying to stop the double-space after a period is a tough habit to break, but you're better for it!
Sep 05, 2007 08:44 AM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC
JIM!  I have practice dude!
Sep 05, 2007 02:11 PM