The English language is a borrowed language. Every time English speaking cultures encounter other societies, a linguistic appropriation occurs. English speakers adopt words from the encountered society and assimilate them into the English language through repeated use.
Such is the case with many Latin terms we still use today. The appropriation dates back to when the Roman Empire ruled in Britain. When the Romans withdrew, the people continued using the language they knew. Ad hoc is one of those terms that has continued from that time.
Literally ad hoc means for this or for this particular occasion and is most often used as an adjective to modify the noun committee. Typically words adopted from foreign languages are italicized. However, the ad hoc rule for italicizing ad hoc is don’t do it. The term has been sufficiently assimilated into the language that italic typeface is not needed. (Nevertheless, using words as words always requires italic typeface, so make sure you don’t forget that!)
Precision in language includes precision in presentation. It’s all a part of more effective technical writing that can present you and your brands more effectively to your audience.
Such is the case with many Latin terms we still use today. The appropriation dates back to when the Roman Empire ruled in Britain. When the Romans withdrew, the people continued using the language they knew. Ad hoc is one of those terms that has continued from that time.
Literally ad hoc means for this or for this particular occasion and is most often used as an adjective to modify the noun committee. Typically words adopted from foreign languages are italicized. However, the ad hoc rule for italicizing ad hoc is don’t do it. The term has been sufficiently assimilated into the language that italic typeface is not needed. (Nevertheless, using words as words always requires italic typeface, so make sure you don’t forget that!)
Precision in language includes precision in presentation. It’s all a part of more effective technical writing that can present you and your brands more effectively to your audience.
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