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digits vs. numerals in this context

English translation: numbers

07:14 Apr 4, 2007
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Telecom(munications)
English term or phrase: digits vs. numerals in this context
Dear Friends,

please advise me which of the words (digits or numerals) is better to use in this context - or either will do ?

Also, if you have time, please share your opinion which of the two sentences sounds better in English (both are translations of the same Russian sentence). Or the both are ok ?

Thank you !

===
(i) The first telephone sets with rotary dials had only numerals on them. In the 1920s letters standing beside numerals came into use.
---
(ii) The dialers of the first dial telephones had only digits. In the 20s of the last century letters first appeared near the digits.
Alexander Onishko
Selected answer:numbers
Explanation:
I think I would opt for "numbers" here, since you are contrasting them with "letters".

Selected response from:

William [Bill] Gray
Norway
Local time: 20:18
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +8numbers
William [Bill] Gray


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +8
numbers


Explanation:
I think I would opt for "numbers" here, since you are contrasting them with "letters".



William [Bill] Gray
Norway
Local time: 20:18
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: Yes, exactly!
16 mins
  -> Thanks, Tony, and a happy Easter!
agree  Jack Doughty: I would add a comma after "1920s" in the first version (which I prefer) and after "last century" in the second, but this might be a UK-English thing only, I'm not sure if it would be an improvement in US English.
20 mins
  -> Thanks, Jack. Happy Easter to you, too!
agree  Armorel Young: Definitely. And why even think of saying "in the 20s of the last century" when "in the 1920s" is so much more concise?
28 mins
  -> Thank you. Happy Easter!
agree  Ken Cox: With Jack and Amorel. You can say 'in the twenties of the last century', but it's rather verbose.
41 mins
  -> Thanks, Ken. Happy Easter.
agree  Alison Jenner: Also with Jack's and Armorel's comments. I also prefer the asker's first version.
41 mins
  -> Thank you. Happy Easter.
agree  Suzan Hamer: and with Jack, Amorel and Alison.
1 hr
  -> Thank you.
agree  NancyLynn
9 hrs
  -> Thanks, Nancy, and a Happy Easter!
agree  Alfa Trans (X): Glad Påsk!
20 hrs
  -> Thanks, Marju. Happy Easter!
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