cd (capitalised or not?)

20:27 Jan 16, 2010 

I know it seems a stupid question, and I certainly wouldn't have queried it in a translation, but I'm performing a QA role here and the rules are a bit different. Thanks for your patience.

21:31 Jan 15, 2010 

"By attaching a + immediately before a word (remember, don't add a space after the +), you are telling Google to match that word precisely as you typed it."

In the first 10 pages of results returned by Google after searching for +CD, I don't see a single instance of a lower-case spelling in running text (i.e. not in a page title, URL, keywords etc.) that refers to a compact disc. A few of the hits refer to certificates of deposit or computer commands, so let's say that 0 out of 95 occurrences in that sample are in lower case and refer to compact discs.

Personally, I'd find that sort of ratio, combined with a glance in a reputable dictionary and perhaps another style guide or two for good measure, quite persuasive.

20:48 Jan 15, 2010 

I understand your reasons for suggesting a dictionary lookup, but I just wanted to double-check as this text was really well written and I haven't lived in my native country (the UK) for over 15 years now. Your Google search link still doesn't help me tie it down to "cd" rather than "CD", does it?

20:41 Jan 15, 2010 

My reason for recommending the use of a (reliable!) dictionary as a reference here is that one can then rely on it as an authority if one is asked to justify the changes made during editing. This is particularly relevant for clients who may overestimate their knowledge of the language in question.

20:33 Jan 15, 2010 

19:45 Jan 15, 2010 

@ urbom & writeaway: I realise it can be found in dictionaries as CD, but language (esp. English) is not always reflected adequately in dictionaries. @ writeaway - I tried searching the web, but I don't know how to get searches to respect case (any hints gratefully accepted). @ jccantrell - that sums up my problem perfectly. @ all - thanks for the confirmation that "cd" is not acceptable. This was copy (not translation) from a Polish source and the English was top quality (apart from this), obviously by native or equiv. so I needed to be sure. I'll award points later in accordance with KudoZ rules.