Proper English Date Formatting: 14 December 2021 vs 14. December 2021
When it comes to writing dates in English, there are specific conventions that need to be followed to ensure clarity and ease of understanding. The debate between using a period after the day number (14. December 2021) and omitting it (14 December 2021) can often lead to confusion. In this article, we will explore the proper way to write dates in English and why the latter is the preferred format.
Why Not Use a Period After the Day Number?
The use of a period after the day number (14. December 2021) is a common misconception. In written English, dates are typically formatted as 14 December 2021 or 14 December, 2021. The period is intended for decimal points and is never used immediately after the day number in dates.
The Transition from Day-Month-Year to Month-Day-Year
Many individuals have developed a habit of writing dates in the order of day-month-year (14. December 2021) due to their personal preference or the influence of their home country's date format (e.g., the United States often follows month-day-year). However, this format can lead to confusion, particularly with dates that can be interpreted in multiple ways. For example, 9/11 can be read as either September 11th (9-11-2001) or November 9th (11-9-2001).
Impact on Emergency Scenarios
The use of the day-first format (9/11) can cause problems in emergency scenarios. While most countries would interpret 9/11 as November 9th, emergency services in the US might interpret it as September 11th. This difference is significant and can lead to delays or miscommunication. The format 11-9-2001 is less memorable and can cause confusion, making it less effective in urgent situations.
Adaptation to Different Date Formats
Living in Brazil: While living in Brazil, I became accustomed to the day-first order of dates (14 December 2021). In pharmacies and other places that require my birth date, I now provide it in the format of day/month/year. I am not alone in this transition. More Americans are adapting to some aspects of the metric system, such as running 5 kilometers instead of 5 miles. Similarly, learning Celsius temperatures is becoming more common as well.
Comfort in Adaptation
Over time, the format that you are used to becomes natural. However, as mentioned, it can change either individually or within a culture. It is a matter of adapting to new conventions and understanding the reasons behind them. For example, while comfortable outdoor temperatures in Celsius are in the middle to upper twenties, these temperatures are significantly lower in Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
Whether you are used to day-month-year or month-day-year, it is crucial to ensure that your dates are formatted correctly to avoid confusion. In English, the proper format is 14 December 2021, without the period. This format ensures clarity and avoids misinterpretation.