Quick spelling question...

[russ_watters]

I'm editing a report my boss wrote about a job we are doing in Mexico. One of the workers is named Rafael (is that even spelled right)? We generally called him by the shortened version: is it Rafe or Rafa? I'm guessing Rafe, but I wasn't sure, hence....

[Moonbear]

I vote that you just use his full name rather than a nickname in a report. I didn't even know there was a short version of Rafael (or Raphael...that would be the English spelling, but you probably have it right for the Spanish spelling). Even if you're on a first name/nickname basis with someone, in technical/formal writing, you still should avoid using nicknames (and then you don't have to figure out how to spell them :biggrin:).

[russ_watters]

I vote that you just use his full name rather than a nickname in a report.... Even if you're on a first name/nickname basis with someone, in technical/formal writing, you still should avoid using nicknames (and then you don't have to figure out how to spell them :biggrin:). That would be an easy way out, but it isn't my report, so I don't know if that'll work. I'll try.

[Evo]

I agree with Moonbear. I'm rather surprised your boss doesn't know this.

[russ_watters]

I agree with Moonbear. I'm rather surprised your boss doesn't know this. I don't think it's quite that black and white. Some names more readily reduce to their nicnames than others. Take mine, for example: I rarely use "Russell" in anything but the most formal of communications. Edward/Ed is another good example. Jason/Jay is probably one you wouldn't reduce, but not being Spanish, I don't know how Rafael ranks in that. I'll probably take Moonbear's suggestion anyway, though.

honestrosewater, hmm - google gets more hits for Rafa, but one of the links there, about baby names, doesn't even list it!

[Lisa!]

Just call him Raf! :uhh: Although I think it must be Rafa.

[honestrosewater]

honestrosewater, hmm - google gets more hits for Rafa, but one of the links there, about baby names, doesn't even list it!Eh, yeah, I'm getting mixed results. The news results were almost all for the same person. I wasn't really thinking. It's bugging me now, so I'm still looking. (Yes, I'm strange.)

[honestrosewater]

Well, if you're going to go with Rafael, I won't bother. But here's something:
http://www.behindthename.com/php/view.php?name=rafe
http://www.behindthename.com/php/view.php?name=rafa
http://www.behindthename.com/php/extra.php?extra=r&terms=rafael
I use that site often and have found them reliable, for what it's worth.

[Moonbear]

I don't think it's quite that black and white. Some names more readily reduce to their nicnames than others.
My name doesn't reduce to any sort of nickname. I used to hate that when I was a kid and everyone else had nicknames...I felt left out. But, as an adult, I like it...my name is my name, and there are no issues of anyone taking liberties in using a nickname I don't like. One of my friends was absolutely crazy about making sure her kids' names couldn't be turned into nicknames. She was adamant that whatever she named her kids were the names they should be called, so both kids have very short names...I can only imagine she must have had a bad nickname experience as a child. :uhh:

[russ_watters]

My name doesn't reduce to any sort of nickname. What do you think about "Moonie"?

(too easy?)

[Moonbear]

What do you think about "Moonie"?
(too easy?)
Oh, I meant my real name. I think it's hysterical that my nickname here has nicknames. :rofl: