capitalisation of names

shaldna · Jan 16, 2012

If a character is called, for example, Jenny van der Decken, I understand that the 'van der' is lower case.

However, if she is referred to as simply 'van der Decken' is the 'van' still lower case, or should it be 'Van der Decken'

I can't believe I've never come across this problem before.

Sea Witch · Jan 16, 2012

I can't site any authoritative texts for you, but in a sentence, I would use "van der Decken" but if it started a sentence, I would capitalize the V.

I'm thinking in terms of the French example. Say the name was "de la Rive", that's how I would do it.

Maryn · Jan 16, 2012

I agree with Sea Witch. Unless there's some other reason to capitalize, like it being the first word in a sentence, you'd retain the normal capitalization.

I told van der Meid my troubles, but deLuca and de Vries barged in before I finished. Like that.

Maryn, sure

shaldna · Jan 16, 2012

thanks guys, that's what I thought, but it never hurts to check.

capitalisation of names

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Sea Witch

Stirring the word cauldron

Maryn

I Tried

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.