comma with apposition (title): the American film, "Curly Top," an

[8769]

The following is what I transcribed, listening to a radio program. The speaker is talking about a song from a movie.



My question is about punctuation. Which is more natural, #1 or #2, when written down?​

1. Today's song is from the 1935 American film, "Curly Top," an adaptation of the famous children story, "Daddy-Long-Legs." The comedy drama story revolves around two sisters living in an orphanage. The nickname, "Curly Top," refers to Shirley Temple's curly hair.​

2. Today's song is from the 1935 American film "Curly Top," an adaptation of the famous children story "Daddy-Long-Legs." The comedy drama story revolves around two sisters living in an orphanage. The nickname "Curly Top" refers to Shirley Temple's curly hair.​

I think #2, with fewer commas, would be more natural, but I’m not sure. What do you think?​

 

[Brioche]

I'd go for number 2.

However, the " goes before the , or the .
..... "Curly Top", an adaptation .....story "Daddy-Long-Legs".

 

[Suilan]

"However, the " goes before the , or the ."

That depends whether you write U.S. English or British (Australian? Canadian?) English.

U.S. style guides require comma and period before the closing quote, even with single words or titles.

Follow this link http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?p=3250420#post3250420

 

[timpeac]

I'd go for number two - the commas in number one look strange to me. I've always thought that commas should not destroy the sense of the main sentence and it seems to me they do here. For example in "the nickname "curly top"" the "curly top" is vital to the sentence - in would make no sense to say "the nickname refers to..." because the nickname has not yet been mentioned.

To draw a parallel, if I were talking to a person called "curly top" I would see no problem in the commas because it would be a true aside - "the nickname, curly top my friend, refers to...".

I think that this is also reflected in the pronunciation. Think of the different ways we would pronounce that sentence if "curly top" were the nickname and then if "curly top" was the name of the person we were speaking to. In the first "the nickname "curly top"" would all be said on the same note, more or less, whereas if in the second we would drop the tone for the "curly top" underlining the fact it is an aside.

 

[timpeac]

Sorry to double post - but I noticed that I originally put at the start of my message "I'd go for number one" when I meant "number two", so I've edited it. Sorry to confuse anyone who's already read my post!!