ATTEMPT TO STANDARDIZE CHEMICAL SPEECH Most of us mispronounce a good many chemical words. Dictionaries do not always agree and teachers of chemistry as well as others, even if they attempt to be careful in their pronunciations (many do not), have reason to feel confused. The confusion of t h r student is apt to be even greater; he may not even be sure at first that his teacher who says i o d i n e and s 6 I' ii t e is referring to the same thing as his teacher who says i o d i n e and s 0'1 o o t. The Nomenclature, Spelling, and Pronunciation Committee of the American Chemical Society is seeking to determine usage for some of the commoner chemical words and hopes to set up some standards. Wide cooperation is going t o be necessary. The Committee is fortunate in having the help of C. A. Jacobson, whose "Pronouncing Chen~icalFormula Speller" is well known, that of Austin M. Patterson, whose dictionary work has been extensive, and that of an expert phonetician. Many chemists are t o be asked to check a list of some three hundred words for preferred pronunciations. The Committee will be glad to hear from chemists interested in this subject. A complete report will be offered for publication. E. J. CRANE,Chairman The Ohio State University, Columbus. Ohio
