Handbook for translators of Spanish historical ... - University Library

TRANSCRIPTION
ters. In printing such abbreviations, it has been customary
to use two fonts of type, a large size for the text and. a
smaller measure for the superscripts.^ In transcribing
original documents, for the sake of accuracy all superscript
letters should be written above the line of writing. Obviously,
this practice necessitates double-spaced typing.
In transcribing translations, only superscript letters used
in signatures should be retained; in all other cases, the
complete word should be transcribed.
4. Brackets Since, in the translation and transcription
of historical documents, the goal is the achievement
of accuracy, brackets are essential and should be employed
in DOth transcriptions and translations when copying any
material not clearly expressed; furthermore, transcriptions
and translations of historical documents are made primarily
to be used as source materials by students of history.
Consequently, in order to obviate the necessity of referring
to the original, it is important to make use of brackets in
writing out abbreviations, particularly of proper names,
and to enclose any explanatory matter added to translations.
The reading of transcriptions or translations encumbered
with brackets is a most annoying experience. Nevertheless,
for the sake of accuracy, brackets must be employed. When
documents are prepared for publication, however, since
they are usually edited, brackets may be eliminated. The
parts of words that have been torn out of the original,
whenever it is possible to determine what they were,
should be placed within brackets. If words supplied for
clarity immediately follow material placed within brackets
to complete an abbreviation, only one set of brackets
should be used. The words "a," "an," or "hereby," or
the component parts of progressive tenses should not be
enclosed within brackets.
5. Deletions . Occasionally the writer of an original
2 The eunoiint of editorial and printing time cons-omed by
this method is so great that printers have recently resorted
to an innovation in the transcription of suDerscript
letters. They place such letters on the line of
writing and add a period. This practice has been adopted
by the "DAPP" in Mexico City (which corresponds approximately
to the U. S. Grovernment Printing Office), cy
Hoy, a leading literary-historical magazine of that city,
and "by other similar publications.
-Ill-