I consider you're both right, on the "usage rules" basis.

I write a lot of documentation and, in the past, I've always been rigorous about pluralising "index" correctly according to Latin, as "indices". These days, I use "indexes" on pragmatic grounds, considering the number of my readers for whom English is a second language. Everyone knows what an index is. If I pluralise it as "indexes" I'm applying a recognisable rule of English grammar. If I use "indices" I'm being correct for Latin but irregular for English. So, whilst I don't at all regard "indices" as wrong, these days I consider "indexes" has a practical advantage.

However, I'm nothing if not perverse. I'm still strict when using "data" as a noun. "Data" is the plural of "datum". When I write about "your data" I'm referring not just to your "body of data" but to all of your data: this datum and this datum and this datum. To me, an expression such as "data is vulnerable to corruption" not only sounds wrong, but is simply incorrect. Sorry, Doug. :))

cheers,
Helen


At 02:43 AM 29-12-01 +0100, you wrote:

>tell this to my professor...
>
>when I gave in my seminar work about 18 months ago (in english) with
>'indexes' in it,
>he let me print out the thing a second time because it was incorrect. :-(
>Well, in non-english speaking countries it should be mostly incorrect, but
>then again I think we are done with the billion thingy here on the list :-)
>
>Cu, Nick
>
>"Doug Chamberlin" <DChamberlin@...> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>news:5.1.0.14.2.20011228182157.01ac9190@......
>> At 12/28/2001 04:22 PM (Friday), Kaputnik wrote:
>> >well, yes, typo, sory...in english it is indices, in german its
>indizes...it
>> >was only important for me that they are NOT indexes :-)
>>
>> Nick,
>>
>> I hate to break your bubble but "indexes" has made it into general usage,
>> especially within the software development world.
>>
>> See http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?term=indexes
>>
>> or http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
>>
>> Also, "data", as a collective noun, can be used as both singular and
>plural.
>>
>> See http://www.dictionary.com/cgi-bin/dict.pl?term=data
>>
>> Language is a living thing!
>>
>>
>>
>>
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