New year promise 2000 [ccc] Finnish

Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 13:47:30 +0200
From: Asko Korpela <Asko.Korpela@kolumbus.fi>
To: HS Mielipide <hs.mielipide@sanoma.fi>
Subject: AMM

Let us make a good decision at the turn of the millennium!

We could make a small reasonable change in our usage of language (in all languages). A widespread unanimity would be needed. Right from the beginning we have choosen a slightly wrong path, when we have started to speak and write our names in the order first name, surname. This we do when speaking of one or a few persons at a time. But nobody would even think about making telephone book or even a list of students in a class in this order. Then the order is reversed and the surname is put first. But could not we make a sudden turn and start to speak and write the surname first always? So have done our relatives the Hungarians, who knows for how long. Surely they laugh at our inconsistency.

- Yes, and they do the same in still another point, writing the date. It should unconditionally be written in the form 19990106Wed. This way of writing the date in any listing in time order would go correct automatically, no computer 'black boxes' would be needed. Of course it would seem a bit strange at first, but soon you would get used to it. I dare forecast that sooner or later this way of writing the date will win on its own weight. But why should not we mark the turn of the millennium by this reasonable reform?

Please, tell your opinion here about this kind of change Date and name: askokorpela@gmail.com