A glossary for GEUS publications: spelling and usage of troublesome words and names made easy. 5th edition
Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2010/92

Preface
This glossary gives recommended spellings for GEUS' English language publications. Specifically compiled for use in our peer-reviewed publications – Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin and Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Map Series – it outlines the chosen language style of our scientific series. However, as GEUS widens the scope of its cooperation with institutions and organisations around the world, there is an increasing demand throughout the Survey for the presentation of documents, both administrative and technical, in the English language. And because our website portrays our image to the international community, the language used there should reflect our professionalism. Thus, rather than retain this glossary as a working paper among editors of our scientific series, it is offered here as a report in the hope that it will prove helpful throughout GEUS.

Conventionally, much more emphasis is placed on the accuracy and consistency of language and terminology in scientific writing than in everyday communication. However, correct spelling and use of words should always be a primary aim in any text published by GEUS. As it happens, the very first entry of this glossary – Aalborg University – draws attention to the fact that even the names of well-established Danish institutions are often cited incorrectly (see also under University of Aarhus).

Many English words have optional spellings. This can be easily confirmed by consulting more than one dictionary; the variety of spellings is radically increased if both British English and American English reference works are consulted. It is stressed that the entries in this glossary are simply those recommended for use in GEUS scientific publications.

2nd edition
This new edition, with revised title, is prompted by two things: (1) improvements, including more troublesome words, suggested by users and editors and (2) requests for more printed copies. Rather than reprint the original report, we have produced a 2nd edition.
April 2004

3rd edition
Once again, rather than just reprint, we have updated the text with c. 50 new entries and changes that have sprung from the queries of the past year. One of these is the word 'environment'(as in the name of our own Ministry), found on occasion spelt without the second 'n'.
April 2005

4th edition New entries and text refinements characterise this edition. We are pleased to acknowledge the suggestions for improvement from John C. Bailey (University of Copenhagen) who has used the glossary in his undergraduate courses to improve written English. And we have now gone electronic, see http://www.geus.dk/publications/geus_rap_2007_55-uk.htm
October 2007

5th edition
We continue to get feedback for our efforts, and it comforts to know that the glossary is being used by both scientific and administrative staff. This edition brings more than a hundred new entries as well as improvements to the existing text. The link to this edition of the glossary on our website is http://www.geus.dk/publications/geus_rap_2010_92-uk.htm
October 2010