Talk:Forum (legal)

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[edit] Plural

Isn't the proper plural of forum "fora"? I am of the opinion it should be changed on this page; however, I would like to know what others think.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 130.58.240.104 (talk • contribs).

Can be either "forums" or "fora" ([1]). There's arguments for both usages ([2]). What do you think? Λυδαcιτγ 23:13, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

The consistency argument advocated by the second link isn't as compelling, I believe. The fact that words taken from other languages are not always pluralized in the same manner doesn't really mean much in light of the numerous exceptions in American English. Given that American English is devoid of a governing body, it doesn't seem reasonable to expect pluralization rules to be consistent across the vast spectrum of languages that English words are taken from.

I would say that "fora" should be used for an aesthetic reason. In addition, retaining the plural form of the mother language seems reasonable unless it is burdensome. Opinions? --Swattie 03:59, 7 March 2007 (UTC)

I found a similar discussion at Talk:Internet forum#Plural of forum. By my reading, the consensus was that although the use of "fora" should be noted when appropriate, the encyclopedia entry should use the common usage, "forums" ("in a constructive encyclopaedic entry the 'common' version should be given precedence"), as it does.

On the other hand, there are the two reasons you mention. I'm really undecided; I've asked at Wikipedia talk:Manual of Style (spelling)#Forums vs. Fora and Talk:Internet forum#Plural of forum for more opinions. Λυδαcιτγ 05:15, 7 March 2007 (UTC)

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "forums" is the usual plural, with "fora" only being used when the word refers to ancient Roman meeting places. There's some amusing discussion on the point here. -- Avenue 23:38, 7 March 2007 (UTC)

Note that almost all languages, almost all the time, form plurals according to their own rules when borrowing words. In Swahili plurals are formed by prefix changes, mdudu bug/insect, plural wadudu, bugs. Borrowed into English (in East Africa), dudu and dudus. The other way, Swahili friji is borrowed from English (fridge ;-), plural is mafriji.

English is just about as consistent as the other languages I am familiar with. Cases like agenda and media are not exceptions! They are cases where English borrowed the plural first. For example data and datum. Sometimes English even makes plurals of those, Hebrew plural cherubim became in the King James cherubims. (and, of course, agendas ...)

In this case, forum came first, forums is the standard plural, and fora is unusual and might be considered affected outside of a reference to Ancient Rome. Robert Ullmann 00:15, 8 March 2007 (UTC)