The comma with numbers
Words by Pat Eggleton
In Italian we use the comma - which is a virgola, not a comma! – to indicate the decimal point.
So we write 1,5 instead of 1.5 and we say uno virgola cinque.
Virgola is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable.
Conversely, Italian uses the punto or full stop to indicate thousands:
1.000 instead of 1,000.
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The symbol is actually a
The symbol is actually a superscript 'O' as opposed to the degree symbol, which is circular (take it from a sad old typographer!)
I've also noticed that
I've also noticed that (apparently) the "degree sign" ° is used to indicate placement, such as First, Second, Third, etc.
So, instead of seeing "November 1st", I've seen novembre 1° (or perhaps 1° novembre)
I hope I'm making sense. However, I'm wondering what that character is called. I've only known it as a "degree sign", as used in posting temperature.
reply to KCF
Yes, you are making sense. I always call it the degree sign or symbol too but it can be called the numero symbol. Wiki says it's the ordinal indficator which is apparently different from the degree sign but they look the same to me!
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