Style/Principle/Error correction and artist intent: Difference between revisions

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{{official ngs style}}
{{official ngs style}}


Artist intent describes whether an artist intended the [[Artist Name|ArtistName]], [[Release Title|ReleaseTitle]] or [[Track Title|TrackTitle]] to contradict the language they're in (e.g. spelling errors) or state something that would contradict the [[Style Guideline|StyleGuideline]]s.
Artist intent describes whether an artist intended the [[Artist Name|ArtistName]], [[Release Title|ReleaseTitle]] or [[Track Title|TrackTitle]] to contradict the language they’re in (e.g. spelling errors) or state something that would contradict the [[Style Guideline|StyleGuideline]]s.


Artist intent is a very fundamental concept, however, it is not clearly defined at all. The general idea (as stated in the [[Style Principle|StylePrinciple]]s) is that, if an [[Artist|artist]] intended something to be written in a very special way, then [[MusicBrainz]] should follow this intent. Unfortunately it is very difficult to find out what an artist intended.
Artist intent is a very fundamental concept, however, it is not clearly defined at all. The general idea (as stated in the [[Style Principle|StylePrinciple]]s) is that, if an [[Artist|artist]] intended something to be written in a very special way, then [[MusicBrainz]] should follow this intent. Unfortunately it is very difficult to find out what an artist intended.
If you want to claim that some deviation of the [[Official Style Guideline|OfficialStyleGuideline]]s should be considered artist intent, the burden of proof lies upon you. You are encouraged to discuss the issue on the [[Users Mailing List|UsersMailingList]].
If you want to claim that some deviation of the [[Official Style Guideline|OfficialStyleGuideline]]s should be considered artist intent, the burden of proof lies upon you. You are encouraged to discuss the issue on the [[Users Mailing List|UsersMailingList]].


If something is consistently labelled on official sources, then you can assume this is intentional.
If something is consistently labelled on official sources, then you can assume this is intentional.
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==Agreed Upon Artist Names==
==Agreed Upon Artist Names==


The [[MusicBrainz]] community has agreed that the following [[Artist Name|ArtistName]]s are considered to be styled this way according to the artist's intent:
The [[MusicBrainz]] community has agreed that the following [[Artist Name|ArtistName]]s are considered to be styled this way according to the artist’s intent:
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/5579a23d-c411-4930-987d-ff89d77c1c12.html 2raumwohnung] (all lowercase)
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/5579a23d-c411-4930-987d-ff89d77c1c12.html 2raumwohnung] (all lowercase)
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/675c1c5e-5625-4a5e-97a2-b02aab5db2fc.html k.d. lang] (all lowercase)
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/675c1c5e-5625-4a5e-97a2-b02aab5db2fc.html k.d. lang] (all lowercase)
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/7364dea6-ca9a-48e3-be01-b44ad0d19897.html a-ha] (all lowercase)
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/7364dea6-ca9a-48e3-be01-b44ad0d19897.html a-ha] (all lowercase)
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/ef6e2e49-aa93-41bd-89b0-8c7d2f260a83.html lostprophets] (all lowercase)
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/ef6e2e49-aa93-41bd-89b0-8c7d2f260a83.html lostprophets] (all lowercase)
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/f5248869-2609-43db-8234-3065e11f1e1a.html locomotor ataxia] (all lowercase, for artist name, release titles, and track titles) (Questions see edit [http://musicbrainz.org/show/edit/?editid=6892422 6892422])
* [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/f5248869-2609-43db-8234-3065e11f1e1a.html locomotor ataxia] (all lowercase, for artist name, release titles, and track titles) (Questions see edit [http://musicbrainz.org/show/edit/?editid=6892422 6892422])


==Exception: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar==
==Exception: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar==


'''As a general rule, we do correct spelling and punctuation and, to a lesser extent, grammar errors in titles'''.
'''As a general rule, we do correct spelling and punctuation and, to a lesser extent, grammar errors in titles'''.


[[Image:Alert.png]] This rule does '''not''' apply if it can be shown that the '''intent''' (see above) was for the spelling, punctuation or grammar to be incorrect.
[[Image:Alert.png]] This rule does '''not''' apply if it can be shown that the '''intent''' (see above) was for the spelling, punctuation or grammar to be incorrect.


===Additional notes===
===Additional notes===


"By intent" usually means one of the following:
“By intent” usually means one of the following:
* The artist themselves stated their intent.
* The artist themselves stated their intent.
* There is unambiguous consensus in the community that the artist wanted it this way.
* There is unambiguous consensus in the community that the artist wanted it this way.
* A certain misspelling is consistently found in all (official) releases of the artist.
* A certain misspelling is consistently found in all (official) releases of the artist.


Note: ''Unfortunately, proving artist intent can be somewhat difficult and so it is often up to the discretion of the editor. If you are in doubt, discuss the issue via [[Edit Note|EditNote]]s.''
Note: ''Unfortunately, proving artist intent can be somewhat difficult and so it is often up to the discretion of the editor. If you are in doubt, discuss the issue via [[Edit Note|EditNote]]s.''


===Reasoning===
===Reasoning===


There are many cases of record companies making errors with track titles or even artist names (e.g. some of the ''Front Line Assembly'' releases), or creating new imaginary words for ''stylistic'' purposes. In such cases it often makes sense to fix the errors, valuing spelling and punctuation correctness over cover accuracy.
There are many cases of record companies making errors with track titles or even artist names (e.g. some of the ''Front Line Assembly'' releases), or creating new imaginary words for ''stylistic'' purposes. In such cases it often makes sense to fix the errors, valuing spelling and punctuation correctness over cover accuracy.


===Examples===
===Examples===


Some notable examples of titles that override the guidelines are: <dl><dt>Guns 'N' Roses
Some notable examples of titles that override the guidelines are: <dl><dt>Guns ’N’ Roses
<dd>It's been established that the N should always be capitalised per artist preference, as well as having the two apostrophes (which isn't technically incorrect anyway).
<dd>It’s been established that the “N” should always be capitalised per artist preference, as well as having the two apostrophes (which isn’t technically incorrect anyway).
<dt>k.d. lang
<dt>k.d. lang
<dd>Her name should always be spelled with lower case.
<dd>Her name should always be spelled with lower‐case.
<dt>聖なる鐘がひびく夜
<dt>聖なる鐘がひびく夜
<dd>
<dd>


[http://www.musicbrainz.org/album/c7fbc003-556b-43b6-90e3-ae341370e243.html 聖なる鐘がひびく夜] by [http://www.musicbrainz.org/artist/3158237c-7e5d-451c-9106-bd20f20d581a.html タンポポ]. The titles of the three other versions of the song on the single are all solo versions by the group members named (Featuring <member last name>) on the release. They're not collaborations, just solo versions by the group members, so they're a nice example of when not to use the (feat. <artist>) format.
[http://www.musicbrainz.org/album/c7fbc003-556b-43b6-90e3-ae341370e243.html 聖なる鐘がひびく夜] by [http://www.musicbrainz.org/artist/3158237c-7e5d-451c-9106-bd20f20d581a.html タンポポ]. The titles of the three other versions of the song on the single are all solo versions by the group members named (Featuring <member last name>) on the release. They’re not collaborations, just solo versions by the group members, so they’re a nice example of when not to use the (feat. <artist>) format.
<dt>A Perfect Circle
<dt>A Perfect Circle
<dd>
<dd>


[http://www.musicbrainz.org/album/92b36219-760b-4f32-94f7-4e323e6d431d.html eMOTIVe] and [http://www.musicbrainz.org/album/98cdfb24-cbda-4702-99c1-d9c031d086c5.html aMOTION] is ArtistIntent by [http://www.musicbrainz.org/artist/078a9376-3c04-4280-b7d7-b20e158f345d.html A Perfect Circle] for "incorrect capitalization".
[http://www.musicbrainz.org/album/92b36219-760b-4f32-94f7-4e323e6d431d.html eMOTIVe] and [http://www.musicbrainz.org/album/98cdfb24-cbda-4702-99c1-d9c031d086c5.html aMOTION] is ArtistIntent by [http://www.musicbrainz.org/artist/078a9376-3c04-4280-b7d7-b20e158f345d.html A Perfect Circle] for "incorrect capitalization".
</dl>
</dl>



{{StyleBox}}
{{StyleBox}}

Revision as of 20:02, 15 November 2011

Status: This is an official style guideline.

Artist intent describes whether an artist intended the ArtistName, ReleaseTitle or TrackTitle to contradict the language they’re in (e.g. spelling errors) or state something that would contradict the StyleGuidelines.

Artist intent is a very fundamental concept, however, it is not clearly defined at all. The general idea (as stated in the StylePrinciples) is that, if an artist intended something to be written in a very special way, then MusicBrainz should follow this intent. Unfortunately it is very difficult to find out what an artist intended. If you want to claim that some deviation of the OfficialStyleGuidelines should be considered artist intent, the burden of proof lies upon you. You are encouraged to discuss the issue on the UsersMailingList.

If something is consistently labelled on official sources, then you can assume this is intentional.

Agreed Upon Artist Names

The MusicBrainz community has agreed that the following ArtistNames are considered to be styled this way according to the artist’s intent:

Exception: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

As a general rule, we do correct spelling and punctuation and, to a lesser extent, grammar errors in titles.

Alert.png This rule does not apply if it can be shown that the intent (see above) was for the spelling, punctuation or grammar to be incorrect.

Additional notes

“By intent” usually means one of the following:

  • The artist themselves stated their intent.
  • There is unambiguous consensus in the community that the artist wanted it this way.
  • A certain misspelling is consistently found in all (official) releases of the artist.

Note: Unfortunately, proving artist intent can be somewhat difficult and so it is often up to the discretion of the editor. If you are in doubt, discuss the issue via EditNotes.

Reasoning

There are many cases of record companies making errors with track titles or even artist names (e.g. some of the Front Line Assembly releases), or creating new imaginary words for stylistic purposes. In such cases it often makes sense to fix the errors, valuing spelling and punctuation correctness over cover accuracy.

Examples

Some notable examples of titles that override the guidelines are:

Guns ’N’ Roses
It’s been established that the “N” should always be capitalised per artist preference, as well as having the two apostrophes (which isn’t technically incorrect anyway).
k.d. lang
Her name should always be spelled with lower‐case.
聖なる鐘がひびく夜
聖なる鐘がひびく夜 by タンポポ. The titles of the three other versions of the song on the single are all solo versions by the group members named (Featuring <member last name>) on the release. They’re not collaborations, just solo versions by the group members, so they’re a nice example of when not to use the (feat. <artist>) format.
A Perfect Circle
eMOTIVe and aMOTION is ArtistIntent by A Perfect Circle for "incorrect capitalization".
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