Are guillemets used at all in English?
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Guillemets are, by Oxford Dictionaries definition:
Each of a pair of punctuation marks (« ») used as quotation marks in French and other European languages.
This is backed up by Wiktionary:
Guillemets (/ˈɡɪləmɛt/, or /ɡiːəˈmeɪ/; French: [ɡijmɛ]), angle quotes,
angle brackets, or carets, are a pair of punctuation marks in the form
of sideways double chevrons (« and »), used as quotation marks
However, I would like to know if there is a use for guillemets in the English language?
My research is below:
Source 1:
The furthest Google has taken me is Writeawriting. It states:
The guillemet is used to mark the starting and the ending point of an entire conversation (this includes phrases like ‘he said’, ‘she replied’, ‘we told’ etc). This use is more specific to French language and many other Non-English languages.
Though, as the article's title is "What is guillemet and how to use it in English language" (all [sic]), it doesn't specify whether it is sometimes used in the English language, rarely is, or if it's used at all. The rest of the article discusses programming and the like, so not useful.
Source 2: EL&U answer to:
Is it acceptable to nest parentheses?
User Orbling attests:
...I do it, but then I spend a lot of time as a mathematician.
If it gets confusing I think using alternative bracket glyphs assists ([{<« »>}]).
[Though using the guillemets (« ») as brackets can get you in to [sic]
trouble, as a lot of languages use them as speech marks.(Wikipedia.) ]
This indicates that using guillemets in the layering scheme for brackets is a thing, but is it correct?
Source 3: EL&U question Why Do Guillemets Sometimes Appear?
User Benjamin McAvoy-Bickford asks:
I have noticed, recently, that guillemets are being used in all sorts of odd ways. I saw one example where they seemed to be inserted around a few shorter words in a slogan for no reason at all. Is there such a thing as a proper use of guillemets in English? Similarly, are guillemets sneaking in because people don't remove them, as partially addressed in this question? I live in America, so I was particularly thinking about American English, though British English-based answers could help.
Then user Hot Licks comments:
The use of the
<<and>>brackets is unusual in normal English and has no established meaning.
In regards to this, guillemets may be rare in English, but, as we've established previously, they aren't unseen; they have a meaning to at least some people.
And this brings us back to square one!
All answers appreciated.
NB: BrE, AmE, AuE, CaE etc. based answers are all accepted.
punctuation
asked Apr 4 at 19:24
LordologyLordology
1,553217
|
show 6 more comments
Guillemets are, by Oxford Dictionaries definition:
Each of a pair of punctuation marks (« ») used as quotation marks in French and other European languages.
This is backed up by Wiktionary:
Guillemets (/ˈɡɪləmɛt/, or /ɡiːəˈmeɪ/; French: [ɡijmɛ]), angle quotes,
angle brackets, or carets, are a pair of punctuation marks in the form
of sideways double chevrons (« and »), used as quotation marks
However, I would like to know if there is a use for guillemets in the English language?
My research is below:
Source 1:
The furthest Google has taken me is Writeawriting. It states:
The guillemet is used to mark the starting and the ending point of an entire conversation (this includes phrases like ‘he said’, ‘she replied’, ‘we told’ etc). This use is more specific to French language and many other Non-English languages.
Though, as the article's title is "What is guillemet and how to use it in English language" (all [sic]), it doesn't specify whether it is sometimes used in the English language, rarely is, or if it's used at all. The rest of the article discusses programming and the like, so not useful.
Source 2: EL&U answer to:
Is it acceptable to nest parentheses?
User Orbling attests:
...I do it, but then I spend a lot of time as a mathematician.
If it gets confusing I think using alternative bracket glyphs assists ([{<« »>}]).
[Though using the guillemets (« ») as brackets can get you in to [sic]
trouble, as a lot of languages use them as speech marks.(Wikipedia.) ]
This indicates that using guillemets in the layering scheme for brackets is a thing, but is it correct?
Source 3: EL&U question Why Do Guillemets Sometimes Appear?
User Benjamin McAvoy-Bickford asks:
I have noticed, recently, that guillemets are being used in all sorts of odd ways. I saw one example where they seemed to be inserted around a few shorter words in a slogan for no reason at all. Is there such a thing as a proper use of guillemets in English? Similarly, are guillemets sneaking in because people don't remove them, as partially addressed in this question? I live in America, so I was particularly thinking about American English, though British English-based answers could help.
Then user Hot Licks comments:
The use of the
<<and>>brackets is unusual in normal English and has no established meaning.
In regards to this, guillemets may be rare in English, but, as we've established previously, they aren't unseen; they have a meaning to at least some people.
And this brings us back to square one!
All answers appreciated.
NB: BrE, AmE, AuE, CaE etc. based answers are all accepted.
punctuation
asked Apr 4 at 19:24
LordologyLordology
1,553217
1
It seems to me that the research you've noted does in fact answer your question - there is no standardised use for guillemets in English. That said, I consistently use them (along with italic text) to indicate telepathic 'speech' in my SF writing. «Here's thinking at you, kid!»
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:33
3
You can use any marks however you want, but if you're writing in any formal capacity, one that requires adherence to standards, I'd recommend leaving guillemets out of the mix.
– Robusto
Apr 4 at 19:36
1
I said that I consistently use them thus. It's not any kind of standard, and some editors that I've submitted such stories to have changed them to match 'house style'.
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:36
2
@Lordology - When my parenthetical thought gets that deeply nested it's time to take a nap!
– Hot Licks
Apr 4 at 20:28
1
Your "writeawriting" link says: they are scarcely used in English language. On the other hand, I wouldn't take writing advice from such a badly-written website.
– James Random
Apr 5 at 11:57
|
show 6 more comments
Guillemets are, by Oxford Dictionaries definition:
Each of a pair of punctuation marks (« ») used as quotation marks in French and other European languages.
This is backed up by Wiktionary:
Guillemets (/ˈɡɪləmɛt/, or /ɡiːəˈmeɪ/; French: [ɡijmɛ]), angle quotes,
angle brackets, or carets, are a pair of punctuation marks in the form
of sideways double chevrons (« and »), used as quotation marks
However, I would like to know if there is a use for guillemets in the English language?
My research is below:
Source 1:
The furthest Google has taken me is Writeawriting. It states:
The guillemet is used to mark the starting and the ending point of an entire conversation (this includes phrases like ‘he said’, ‘she replied’, ‘we told’ etc). This use is more specific to French language and many other Non-English languages.
Though, as the article's title is "What is guillemet and how to use it in English language" (all [sic]), it doesn't specify whether it is sometimes used in the English language, rarely is, or if it's used at all. The rest of the article discusses programming and the like, so not useful.
Source 2: EL&U answer to:
Is it acceptable to nest parentheses?
User Orbling attests:
...I do it, but then I spend a lot of time as a mathematician.
If it gets confusing I think using alternative bracket glyphs assists ([{<« »>}]).
[Though using the guillemets (« ») as brackets can get you in to [sic]
trouble, as a lot of languages use them as speech marks.(Wikipedia.) ]
This indicates that using guillemets in the layering scheme for brackets is a thing, but is it correct?
Source 3: EL&U question Why Do Guillemets Sometimes Appear?
User Benjamin McAvoy-Bickford asks:
I have noticed, recently, that guillemets are being used in all sorts of odd ways. I saw one example where they seemed to be inserted around a few shorter words in a slogan for no reason at all. Is there such a thing as a proper use of guillemets in English? Similarly, are guillemets sneaking in because people don't remove them, as partially addressed in this question? I live in America, so I was particularly thinking about American English, though British English-based answers could help.
Then user Hot Licks comments:
The use of the
<<and>>brackets is unusual in normal English and has no established meaning.
In regards to this, guillemets may be rare in English, but, as we've established previously, they aren't unseen; they have a meaning to at least some people.
And this brings us back to square one!
All answers appreciated.
NB: BrE, AmE, AuE, CaE etc. based answers are all accepted.
punctuation
asked Apr 4 at 19:24
LordologyLordology
1,553217
Guillemets are, by Oxford Dictionaries definition:
Each of a pair of punctuation marks (« ») used as quotation marks in French and other European languages.
This is backed up by Wiktionary:
Guillemets (/ˈɡɪləmɛt/, or /ɡiːəˈmeɪ/; French: [ɡijmɛ]), angle quotes,
angle brackets, or carets, are a pair of punctuation marks in the form
of sideways double chevrons (« and »), used as quotation marks
However, I would like to know if there is a use for guillemets in the English language?
My research is below:
Source 1:
The furthest Google has taken me is Writeawriting. It states:
The guillemet is used to mark the starting and the ending point of an entire conversation (this includes phrases like ‘he said’, ‘she replied’, ‘we told’ etc). This use is more specific to French language and many other Non-English languages.
Though, as the article's title is "What is guillemet and how to use it in English language" (all [sic]), it doesn't specify whether it is sometimes used in the English language, rarely is, or if it's used at all. The rest of the article discusses programming and the like, so not useful.
Source 2: EL&U answer to:
Is it acceptable to nest parentheses?
User Orbling attests:
...I do it, but then I spend a lot of time as a mathematician.
If it gets confusing I think using alternative bracket glyphs assists ([{<« »>}]).
[Though using the guillemets (« ») as brackets can get you in to [sic]
trouble, as a lot of languages use them as speech marks.(Wikipedia.) ]
This indicates that using guillemets in the layering scheme for brackets is a thing, but is it correct?
Source 3: EL&U question Why Do Guillemets Sometimes Appear?
User Benjamin McAvoy-Bickford asks:
I have noticed, recently, that guillemets are being used in all sorts of odd ways. I saw one example where they seemed to be inserted around a few shorter words in a slogan for no reason at all. Is there such a thing as a proper use of guillemets in English? Similarly, are guillemets sneaking in because people don't remove them, as partially addressed in this question? I live in America, so I was particularly thinking about American English, though British English-based answers could help.
Then user Hot Licks comments:
The use of the
<<and>>brackets is unusual in normal English and has no established meaning.
In regards to this, guillemets may be rare in English, but, as we've established previously, they aren't unseen; they have a meaning to at least some people.
And this brings us back to square one!
All answers appreciated.
NB: BrE, AmE, AuE, CaE etc. based answers are all accepted.
punctuation
punctuation
asked Apr 4 at 19:24
LordologyLordology
1,553217
asked Apr 4 at 19:24
LordologyLordology
1,553217
asked Apr 4 at 19:24
LordologyLordology
1,553217
asked Apr 4 at 19:24
LordologyLordology
1,553217
asked Apr 4 at 19:24
LordologyLordology
1,553217
1,553217
1
It seems to me that the research you've noted does in fact answer your question - there is no standardised use for guillemets in English. That said, I consistently use them (along with italic text) to indicate telepathic 'speech' in my SF writing. «Here's thinking at you, kid!»
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:33
3
You can use any marks however you want, but if you're writing in any formal capacity, one that requires adherence to standards, I'd recommend leaving guillemets out of the mix.
– Robusto
Apr 4 at 19:36
1
I said that I consistently use them thus. It's not any kind of standard, and some editors that I've submitted such stories to have changed them to match 'house style'.
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:36
2
@Lordology - When my parenthetical thought gets that deeply nested it's time to take a nap!
– Hot Licks
Apr 4 at 20:28
1
Your "writeawriting" link says: they are scarcely used in English language. On the other hand, I wouldn't take writing advice from such a badly-written website.
– James Random
Apr 5 at 11:57
|
show 6 more comments
1
It seems to me that the research you've noted does in fact answer your question - there is no standardised use for guillemets in English. That said, I consistently use them (along with italic text) to indicate telepathic 'speech' in my SF writing. «Here's thinking at you, kid!»
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:33
3
You can use any marks however you want, but if you're writing in any formal capacity, one that requires adherence to standards, I'd recommend leaving guillemets out of the mix.
– Robusto
Apr 4 at 19:36
1
I said that I consistently use them thus. It's not any kind of standard, and some editors that I've submitted such stories to have changed them to match 'house style'.
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:36
2
@Lordology - When my parenthetical thought gets that deeply nested it's time to take a nap!
– Hot Licks
Apr 4 at 20:28
1
Your "writeawriting" link says: they are scarcely used in English language. On the other hand, I wouldn't take writing advice from such a badly-written website.
– James Random
Apr 5 at 11:57
1
1
It seems to me that the research you've noted does in fact answer your question - there is no standardised use for guillemets in English. That said, I consistently use them (along with italic text) to indicate telepathic 'speech' in my SF writing. «Here's thinking at you, kid!»
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:33
It seems to me that the research you've noted does in fact answer your question - there is no standardised use for guillemets in English. That said, I consistently use them (along with italic text) to indicate telepathic 'speech' in my SF writing. «Here's thinking at you, kid!»
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:33
3
3
You can use any marks however you want, but if you're writing in any formal capacity, one that requires adherence to standards, I'd recommend leaving guillemets out of the mix.
– Robusto
Apr 4 at 19:36
You can use any marks however you want, but if you're writing in any formal capacity, one that requires adherence to standards, I'd recommend leaving guillemets out of the mix.
– Robusto
Apr 4 at 19:36
1
1
I said that I consistently use them thus. It's not any kind of standard, and some editors that I've submitted such stories to have changed them to match 'house style'.
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:36
I said that I consistently use them thus. It's not any kind of standard, and some editors that I've submitted such stories to have changed them to match 'house style'.
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:36
2
2
@Lordology - When my parenthetical thought gets that deeply nested it's time to take a nap!
– Hot Licks
Apr 4 at 20:28
@Lordology - When my parenthetical thought gets that deeply nested it's time to take a nap!
– Hot Licks
Apr 4 at 20:28
1
1
Your "writeawriting" link says: they are scarcely used in English language. On the other hand, I wouldn't take writing advice from such a badly-written website.
– James Random
Apr 5 at 11:57
Your "writeawriting" link says: they are scarcely used in English language. On the other hand, I wouldn't take writing advice from such a badly-written website.
– James Random
Apr 5 at 11:57
|
show 6 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
There is no authoritative use for guillemets in the English language.
Here's why:
1. Guillemets may only be used to mark telepathic or inward speech.
This is just about the only use guillemets have in English. And it's a fine line.
Many editors will replace guillemets with more standard notation. Source: Jeff Zeitlin
This is still a rare practice and only really used in SF writing and the like.
2. Guillemets should not be used whilst nesting brackets.
Guillemets, and for that matter, carets < >, should never be used to nest parentheses when further information is required. The order should be, if at all:
1([2{3}]4) i.e.([{}]) at most and never ([{<«»>}])
Though it should be noted, nesting brackets in English to add further information inside parentheses is allowed.Source: EliteEditing, user Orbling
3. There is no direct keyboard key, Alt code, AltGr or Shift code to a guillemet.
On standard English keyboards, no Shift code, no Alt code, no AltGr code can produce a guillemet, like you can with ([{}]). Following user HotLick's comment, If you can't easily produce it, avoid it.
4. No website or source mentions the usage of guillemets in English.
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
Wikipedia, WordReference, Wiktionary and many more do not state any use for guillemets in English.
TL;DR: Use guillemets only if you are writing an internal monologue (preferably in SF writing/graphic novels etc.) Except for this, guillemets hold no use in the English language.
answered Apr 5 at 10:58
LordologyLordology
1,553217
1
We also use it to mean "much greater than" or "much less than", though that's a rather informal usage. E.g. "Population of Earth >> 1000". Pushing the two greater-than signs into one symbol is a matter of typography, like joining the letters f and i where they occur consecutively in that order.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 11:09
@Lawrence - And joining letters like that is almost never done in modern English typography.
– Hot Licks
Apr 5 at 12:05
@HotLicks Kerning (which is closer to the idea of pushing the two ">" signs closer) is quite widespread in automated typesetting.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 12:08
3
@Lawrence: These: « » are guillemets. These: ≪ ≫ are the mathematical much less/grater than signs. You might get away with using one for the other, but you also might get away with using an O for a 0, or an l for a 1, a # for a ♯. It's not technically correct.
– Peter Shor
Apr 5 at 12:44
@Lawrence Exactly. They aren't guillemets, they're double carets.
– Lordology
Apr 5 at 12:45
|
show 4 more comments
Are guillemets used at all in English?
As the following examples attest, I can confidently answer: «Yes.»
THE NEW « ROSE DES VENTS » CAMPAIGN
Pan-African Forum « Africa: Sources and resources for a culture of peace »
« CROSSCUTTING ISSUES IN PEACE OPERATIONS » AT THE HEART OF A TRAINING IN DAKAR
A walkshop about « Building Bridges to Prevent Early School Leaving »
The Director of the Rema hospital visited « Centre Hospitalier de Dracénie » in France.
answered Apr 5 at 12:21
JeremyJeremy
1,6131613
Survey says...... ❌
– Dan Bron
Apr 5 at 13:40
The single word "Yes" is entirely inadequate as an answer on our site. You might like to refresh yourself with some of the EL&U basics: How to Answer and the EL&U Tour.
– Chappo
Apr 7 at 6:22
All of your sources have links to other languages.
– Lordology
Apr 10 at 9:19
@Lordology - Yes...
– Jeremy
Apr 10 at 10:03
@Jeremy Where translation has occurred and they have kept the guillemets.
– Lordology
Apr 12 at 16:19
|
show 1 more comment
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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active
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oldest
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There is no authoritative use for guillemets in the English language.
Here's why:
1. Guillemets may only be used to mark telepathic or inward speech.
This is just about the only use guillemets have in English. And it's a fine line.
Many editors will replace guillemets with more standard notation. Source: Jeff Zeitlin
This is still a rare practice and only really used in SF writing and the like.
2. Guillemets should not be used whilst nesting brackets.
Guillemets, and for that matter, carets < >, should never be used to nest parentheses when further information is required. The order should be, if at all:
1([2{3}]4) i.e.([{}]) at most and never ([{<«»>}])
Though it should be noted, nesting brackets in English to add further information inside parentheses is allowed.Source: EliteEditing, user Orbling
3. There is no direct keyboard key, Alt code, AltGr or Shift code to a guillemet.
On standard English keyboards, no Shift code, no Alt code, no AltGr code can produce a guillemet, like you can with ([{}]). Following user HotLick's comment, If you can't easily produce it, avoid it.
4. No website or source mentions the usage of guillemets in English.
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
Wikipedia, WordReference, Wiktionary and many more do not state any use for guillemets in English.
TL;DR: Use guillemets only if you are writing an internal monologue (preferably in SF writing/graphic novels etc.) Except for this, guillemets hold no use in the English language.
answered Apr 5 at 10:58
LordologyLordology
1,553217
1
We also use it to mean "much greater than" or "much less than", though that's a rather informal usage. E.g. "Population of Earth >> 1000". Pushing the two greater-than signs into one symbol is a matter of typography, like joining the letters f and i where they occur consecutively in that order.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 11:09
@Lawrence - And joining letters like that is almost never done in modern English typography.
– Hot Licks
Apr 5 at 12:05
@HotLicks Kerning (which is closer to the idea of pushing the two ">" signs closer) is quite widespread in automated typesetting.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 12:08
3
@Lawrence: These: « » are guillemets. These: ≪ ≫ are the mathematical much less/grater than signs. You might get away with using one for the other, but you also might get away with using an O for a 0, or an l for a 1, a # for a ♯. It's not technically correct.
– Peter Shor
Apr 5 at 12:44
@Lawrence Exactly. They aren't guillemets, they're double carets.
– Lordology
Apr 5 at 12:45
|
show 4 more comments
There is no authoritative use for guillemets in the English language.
Here's why:
1. Guillemets may only be used to mark telepathic or inward speech.
This is just about the only use guillemets have in English. And it's a fine line.
Many editors will replace guillemets with more standard notation. Source: Jeff Zeitlin
This is still a rare practice and only really used in SF writing and the like.
2. Guillemets should not be used whilst nesting brackets.
Guillemets, and for that matter, carets < >, should never be used to nest parentheses when further information is required. The order should be, if at all:
1([2{3}]4) i.e.([{}]) at most and never ([{<«»>}])
Though it should be noted, nesting brackets in English to add further information inside parentheses is allowed.Source: EliteEditing, user Orbling
3. There is no direct keyboard key, Alt code, AltGr or Shift code to a guillemet.
On standard English keyboards, no Shift code, no Alt code, no AltGr code can produce a guillemet, like you can with ([{}]). Following user HotLick's comment, If you can't easily produce it, avoid it.
4. No website or source mentions the usage of guillemets in English.
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
Wikipedia, WordReference, Wiktionary and many more do not state any use for guillemets in English.
TL;DR: Use guillemets only if you are writing an internal monologue (preferably in SF writing/graphic novels etc.) Except for this, guillemets hold no use in the English language.
answered Apr 5 at 10:58
LordologyLordology
1,553217
1
We also use it to mean "much greater than" or "much less than", though that's a rather informal usage. E.g. "Population of Earth >> 1000". Pushing the two greater-than signs into one symbol is a matter of typography, like joining the letters f and i where they occur consecutively in that order.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 11:09
@Lawrence - And joining letters like that is almost never done in modern English typography.
– Hot Licks
Apr 5 at 12:05
@HotLicks Kerning (which is closer to the idea of pushing the two ">" signs closer) is quite widespread in automated typesetting.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 12:08
3
@Lawrence: These: « » are guillemets. These: ≪ ≫ are the mathematical much less/grater than signs. You might get away with using one for the other, but you also might get away with using an O for a 0, or an l for a 1, a # for a ♯. It's not technically correct.
– Peter Shor
Apr 5 at 12:44
@Lawrence Exactly. They aren't guillemets, they're double carets.
– Lordology
Apr 5 at 12:45
|
show 4 more comments
There is no authoritative use for guillemets in the English language.
Here's why:
1. Guillemets may only be used to mark telepathic or inward speech.
This is just about the only use guillemets have in English. And it's a fine line.
Many editors will replace guillemets with more standard notation. Source: Jeff Zeitlin
This is still a rare practice and only really used in SF writing and the like.
2. Guillemets should not be used whilst nesting brackets.
Guillemets, and for that matter, carets < >, should never be used to nest parentheses when further information is required. The order should be, if at all:
1([2{3}]4) i.e.([{}]) at most and never ([{<«»>}])
Though it should be noted, nesting brackets in English to add further information inside parentheses is allowed.Source: EliteEditing, user Orbling
3. There is no direct keyboard key, Alt code, AltGr or Shift code to a guillemet.
On standard English keyboards, no Shift code, no Alt code, no AltGr code can produce a guillemet, like you can with ([{}]). Following user HotLick's comment, If you can't easily produce it, avoid it.
4. No website or source mentions the usage of guillemets in English.
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
Wikipedia, WordReference, Wiktionary and many more do not state any use for guillemets in English.
TL;DR: Use guillemets only if you are writing an internal monologue (preferably in SF writing/graphic novels etc.) Except for this, guillemets hold no use in the English language.
answered Apr 5 at 10:58
LordologyLordology
1,553217
There is no authoritative use for guillemets in the English language.
Here's why:
1. Guillemets may only be used to mark telepathic or inward speech.
This is just about the only use guillemets have in English. And it's a fine line.
Many editors will replace guillemets with more standard notation. Source: Jeff Zeitlin
This is still a rare practice and only really used in SF writing and the like.
2. Guillemets should not be used whilst nesting brackets.
Guillemets, and for that matter, carets < >, should never be used to nest parentheses when further information is required. The order should be, if at all:
1([2{3}]4) i.e.([{}]) at most and never ([{<«»>}])
Though it should be noted, nesting brackets in English to add further information inside parentheses is allowed.Source: EliteEditing, user Orbling
3. There is no direct keyboard key, Alt code, AltGr or Shift code to a guillemet.
On standard English keyboards, no Shift code, no Alt code, no AltGr code can produce a guillemet, like you can with ([{}]). Following user HotLick's comment, If you can't easily produce it, avoid it.
4. No website or source mentions the usage of guillemets in English.
This one is pretty self-explanatory.
Wikipedia, WordReference, Wiktionary and many more do not state any use for guillemets in English.
TL;DR: Use guillemets only if you are writing an internal monologue (preferably in SF writing/graphic novels etc.) Except for this, guillemets hold no use in the English language.
answered Apr 5 at 10:58
LordologyLordology
1,553217
edited Apr 5 at 14:36
answered Apr 5 at 10:58
LordologyLordology
1,553217
answered Apr 5 at 10:58
LordologyLordology
1,553217
answered Apr 5 at 10:58
LordologyLordology
1,553217
1,553217
1
We also use it to mean "much greater than" or "much less than", though that's a rather informal usage. E.g. "Population of Earth >> 1000". Pushing the two greater-than signs into one symbol is a matter of typography, like joining the letters f and i where they occur consecutively in that order.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 11:09
@Lawrence - And joining letters like that is almost never done in modern English typography.
– Hot Licks
Apr 5 at 12:05
@HotLicks Kerning (which is closer to the idea of pushing the two ">" signs closer) is quite widespread in automated typesetting.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 12:08
3
@Lawrence: These: « » are guillemets. These: ≪ ≫ are the mathematical much less/grater than signs. You might get away with using one for the other, but you also might get away with using an O for a 0, or an l for a 1, a # for a ♯. It's not technically correct.
– Peter Shor
Apr 5 at 12:44
@Lawrence Exactly. They aren't guillemets, they're double carets.
– Lordology
Apr 5 at 12:45
|
show 4 more comments
1
We also use it to mean "much greater than" or "much less than", though that's a rather informal usage. E.g. "Population of Earth >> 1000". Pushing the two greater-than signs into one symbol is a matter of typography, like joining the letters f and i where they occur consecutively in that order.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 11:09
@Lawrence - And joining letters like that is almost never done in modern English typography.
– Hot Licks
Apr 5 at 12:05
@HotLicks Kerning (which is closer to the idea of pushing the two ">" signs closer) is quite widespread in automated typesetting.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 12:08
3
@Lawrence: These: « » are guillemets. These: ≪ ≫ are the mathematical much less/grater than signs. You might get away with using one for the other, but you also might get away with using an O for a 0, or an l for a 1, a # for a ♯. It's not technically correct.
– Peter Shor
Apr 5 at 12:44
@Lawrence Exactly. They aren't guillemets, they're double carets.
– Lordology
Apr 5 at 12:45
1
1
We also use it to mean "much greater than" or "much less than", though that's a rather informal usage. E.g. "Population of Earth >> 1000". Pushing the two greater-than signs into one symbol is a matter of typography, like joining the letters f and i where they occur consecutively in that order.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 11:09
We also use it to mean "much greater than" or "much less than", though that's a rather informal usage. E.g. "Population of Earth >> 1000". Pushing the two greater-than signs into one symbol is a matter of typography, like joining the letters f and i where they occur consecutively in that order.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 11:09
@Lawrence - And joining letters like that is almost never done in modern English typography.
– Hot Licks
Apr 5 at 12:05
@Lawrence - And joining letters like that is almost never done in modern English typography.
– Hot Licks
Apr 5 at 12:05
@HotLicks Kerning (which is closer to the idea of pushing the two ">" signs closer) is quite widespread in automated typesetting.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 12:08
@HotLicks Kerning (which is closer to the idea of pushing the two ">" signs closer) is quite widespread in automated typesetting.
– Lawrence
Apr 5 at 12:08
3
3
@Lawrence: These: « » are guillemets. These: ≪ ≫ are the mathematical much less/grater than signs. You might get away with using one for the other, but you also might get away with using an O for a 0, or an l for a 1, a # for a ♯. It's not technically correct.
– Peter Shor
Apr 5 at 12:44
@Lawrence: These: « » are guillemets. These: ≪ ≫ are the mathematical much less/grater than signs. You might get away with using one for the other, but you also might get away with using an O for a 0, or an l for a 1, a # for a ♯. It's not technically correct.
– Peter Shor
Apr 5 at 12:44
@Lawrence Exactly. They aren't guillemets, they're double carets.
– Lordology
Apr 5 at 12:45
@Lawrence Exactly. They aren't guillemets, they're double carets.
– Lordology
Apr 5 at 12:45
|
show 4 more comments
Are guillemets used at all in English?
As the following examples attest, I can confidently answer: «Yes.»
THE NEW « ROSE DES VENTS » CAMPAIGN
Pan-African Forum « Africa: Sources and resources for a culture of peace »
« CROSSCUTTING ISSUES IN PEACE OPERATIONS » AT THE HEART OF A TRAINING IN DAKAR
A walkshop about « Building Bridges to Prevent Early School Leaving »
The Director of the Rema hospital visited « Centre Hospitalier de Dracénie » in France.
answered Apr 5 at 12:21
JeremyJeremy
1,6131613
Survey says...... ❌
– Dan Bron
Apr 5 at 13:40
The single word "Yes" is entirely inadequate as an answer on our site. You might like to refresh yourself with some of the EL&U basics: How to Answer and the EL&U Tour.
– Chappo
Apr 7 at 6:22
All of your sources have links to other languages.
– Lordology
Apr 10 at 9:19
@Lordology - Yes...
– Jeremy
Apr 10 at 10:03
@Jeremy Where translation has occurred and they have kept the guillemets.
– Lordology
Apr 12 at 16:19
|
show 1 more comment
Are guillemets used at all in English?
As the following examples attest, I can confidently answer: «Yes.»
THE NEW « ROSE DES VENTS » CAMPAIGN
Pan-African Forum « Africa: Sources and resources for a culture of peace »
« CROSSCUTTING ISSUES IN PEACE OPERATIONS » AT THE HEART OF A TRAINING IN DAKAR
A walkshop about « Building Bridges to Prevent Early School Leaving »
The Director of the Rema hospital visited « Centre Hospitalier de Dracénie » in France.
answered Apr 5 at 12:21
JeremyJeremy
1,6131613
Survey says...... ❌
– Dan Bron
Apr 5 at 13:40
The single word "Yes" is entirely inadequate as an answer on our site. You might like to refresh yourself with some of the EL&U basics: How to Answer and the EL&U Tour.
– Chappo
Apr 7 at 6:22
All of your sources have links to other languages.
– Lordology
Apr 10 at 9:19
@Lordology - Yes...
– Jeremy
Apr 10 at 10:03
@Jeremy Where translation has occurred and they have kept the guillemets.
– Lordology
Apr 12 at 16:19
|
show 1 more comment
Are guillemets used at all in English?
As the following examples attest, I can confidently answer: «Yes.»
THE NEW « ROSE DES VENTS » CAMPAIGN
Pan-African Forum « Africa: Sources and resources for a culture of peace »
« CROSSCUTTING ISSUES IN PEACE OPERATIONS » AT THE HEART OF A TRAINING IN DAKAR
A walkshop about « Building Bridges to Prevent Early School Leaving »
The Director of the Rema hospital visited « Centre Hospitalier de Dracénie » in France.
answered Apr 5 at 12:21
JeremyJeremy
1,6131613
Are guillemets used at all in English?
As the following examples attest, I can confidently answer: «Yes.»
THE NEW « ROSE DES VENTS » CAMPAIGN
Pan-African Forum « Africa: Sources and resources for a culture of peace »
« CROSSCUTTING ISSUES IN PEACE OPERATIONS » AT THE HEART OF A TRAINING IN DAKAR
A walkshop about « Building Bridges to Prevent Early School Leaving »
The Director of the Rema hospital visited « Centre Hospitalier de Dracénie » in France.
answered Apr 5 at 12:21
JeremyJeremy
1,6131613
edited Apr 8 at 7:27
answered Apr 5 at 12:21
JeremyJeremy
1,6131613
answered Apr 5 at 12:21
JeremyJeremy
1,6131613
answered Apr 5 at 12:21
JeremyJeremy
1,6131613
1,6131613
Survey says...... ❌
– Dan Bron
Apr 5 at 13:40
The single word "Yes" is entirely inadequate as an answer on our site. You might like to refresh yourself with some of the EL&U basics: How to Answer and the EL&U Tour.
– Chappo
Apr 7 at 6:22
All of your sources have links to other languages.
– Lordology
Apr 10 at 9:19
@Lordology - Yes...
– Jeremy
Apr 10 at 10:03
@Jeremy Where translation has occurred and they have kept the guillemets.
– Lordology
Apr 12 at 16:19
|
show 1 more comment
Survey says...... ❌
– Dan Bron
Apr 5 at 13:40
The single word "Yes" is entirely inadequate as an answer on our site. You might like to refresh yourself with some of the EL&U basics: How to Answer and the EL&U Tour.
– Chappo
Apr 7 at 6:22
All of your sources have links to other languages.
– Lordology
Apr 10 at 9:19
@Lordology - Yes...
– Jeremy
Apr 10 at 10:03
@Jeremy Where translation has occurred and they have kept the guillemets.
– Lordology
Apr 12 at 16:19
Survey says...... ❌
– Dan Bron
Apr 5 at 13:40
Survey says...... ❌
– Dan Bron
Apr 5 at 13:40
The single word "Yes" is entirely inadequate as an answer on our site. You might like to refresh yourself with some of the EL&U basics: How to Answer and the EL&U Tour.
– Chappo
Apr 7 at 6:22
The single word "Yes" is entirely inadequate as an answer on our site. You might like to refresh yourself with some of the EL&U basics: How to Answer and the EL&U Tour.
– Chappo
Apr 7 at 6:22
All of your sources have links to other languages.
– Lordology
Apr 10 at 9:19
All of your sources have links to other languages.
– Lordology
Apr 10 at 9:19
@Lordology - Yes...
– Jeremy
Apr 10 at 10:03
@Lordology - Yes...
– Jeremy
Apr 10 at 10:03
@Jeremy Where translation has occurred and they have kept the guillemets.
– Lordology
Apr 12 at 16:19
@Jeremy Where translation has occurred and they have kept the guillemets.
– Lordology
Apr 12 at 16:19
|
show 1 more comment
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1
It seems to me that the research you've noted does in fact answer your question - there is no standardised use for guillemets in English. That said, I consistently use them (along with italic text) to indicate telepathic 'speech' in my SF writing. «Here's thinking at you, kid!»
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:33
3
You can use any marks however you want, but if you're writing in any formal capacity, one that requires adherence to standards, I'd recommend leaving guillemets out of the mix.
– Robusto
Apr 4 at 19:36
1
I said that I consistently use them thus. It's not any kind of standard, and some editors that I've submitted such stories to have changed them to match 'house style'.
– Jeff Zeitlin
Apr 4 at 19:36
2
@Lordology - When my parenthetical thought gets that deeply nested it's time to take a nap!
– Hot Licks
Apr 4 at 20:28
1
Your "writeawriting" link says: they are scarcely used in English language. On the other hand, I wouldn't take writing advice from such a badly-written website.
– James Random
Apr 5 at 11:57