The UT style guide aims to:
- help achieve consistency when writing in English on behalf of the UT or translating/editing UT-related texts;
- contribute to the professional feel of English-language UT communication.
Why?
Differently from Estonian, English has many (almost) equally acceptable "standards". Choosing and sticking to one convention leaves a better impression of the university's communication than interchangeable use of different conventions.
The UT style guide does not intend to:
- replace grammar books or usage reference materials, but refer to them as needed;
- regulate the language used for research publications. When writing academic articles, it is wise to follow the conventions of the particular journal;
- regulate the way the UT members use English in their personal communication. Alternatives to the “UT preferences” are most often also correct.
Other reference materials on language use
Which dictionary to follow to decide on preferred spelling?
A good freely accessible collection of Oxford dictionaries: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/
Where to check grammar rules (e.g. its and it’s)? How to become aware of common mistakes (e.g. effect vs affect)?
Oxford's online reference on grammar and usage: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammar-and-usage
How to get you message across clearly and quickly?
Plain English campaign:
- http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/free-guides/60-how-to-write-in-plain-english.html
- http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/free-guides.html
- http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/plcdev/app/public/system/files/1/original/PlainEnglishLEXICONJune2011.pdf
- http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/plcdev/home/sfusion/htdocs/staging/new.clearest.co.uk/public/system/files/141/original/PLCstyleguide25July2012.pdf
Need more help?
- UT English terminology: http://www.ut.ee/et/16046
- UT Translator/Editor: Merike Kala, merike.kala@ut.ee
Examples of style guides of other universities and institutions
Leuven: http://www.kuleuven.be/communicatie/huisstijl/en/uniformlanguage
Oxford: http://www.ox.ac.uk/document.rm?id=3314, see also http://www.ox.ac.uk/document.rm?id=3315
Cambridge: http://www.cam.ac.uk/brand-resources/guidelines/editorial-style-guide
ICL: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/graphicidentity/housestyle
Karolinska: https://internwebben.ki.se/sites/default/files/null/english_style_manual_for_info_and_comm_at_ki_v1_2.pdf
Leeds: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/styleguide/guide.pdf
Sussex: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/publications/rules/writing
Bath: http://www.bath.ac.uk/marketing/style-guides/editorial-guide/index.html
York: http://www.york.ac.uk/communications/publications/writing/style-guide/
Style guide of the European Commission Directorate-General for Translation: http://ec.europa.eu/translation/english/guidelines/documents/styleguide_english_dgt_en.pdf
EU Interinstitutional Style Guide: http://publications.europa.eu/code/en/en-000100.htm