Over the years, we’ve gone through changes in the Jack Henry and Symitar style guides as far as Latin expressions go. We’ve used i.e. instead of “in other words” or “that is”; we’ve used e.g. instead of “for example.” I always thought these abbreviations were straight forward, but according to many technical writing resources, it is better to avoid the Latin and use English instead.
The primary reasoning is that Latin expressions are harder to translate. This goes hand-in-hand with writing in plain English, talking directly to the audience, avoiding passive voice, and other lessons we revisit often.
Now that I’ve told you to avoid Latin expressions, I will share some of the more familiar ones with you. This is just a sampling, with definitions from Merriam-Webster.
| ad hoc | for the particular end or purpose at hand and without reference to wider application or employment |
| ad infinitum | to infinity : without end or limit <talked on and on ad infinitum> |
| exempli gratia (e.g.) | for example |
| ergo | therefore; hence |
| · et alii (masculine plural
· et aliae (feminine plural) · et alia (neuter plural) (et al.) |
and others |
| et cetera (etc.) | and others especially of the same kind : and so on : and so forth |
| ex gratia | : as a favor : not compelled by legal right |
| ex officio | by virtue or because of an office or offices |
| id est (i.e.) | that is |
| in situ | in the natural or original position |
| inter alia | among other things |
| per se | by, of, or in itself or oneself or themselves : as such : independently, intrinsically |
| vice versa | with the alternation or order changed : with the relations reversed : conversely |
Kara Church
Technical Editor, Advisory
619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773
Symitar Documentation Services
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