Demonym Standardization Rule

This rule enforces consistent and correct usage of demonyms (words used to describe people from a specific place) across written content. It identifies commonly misused or non-standard demonyms and suggests their correct forms. This is important because using incorrect demonyms can appear unprofessional and may even be considered offensive in some contexts. Proper demonym usage demonstrates cultural awareness and editorial precision.

Examples:

  • Will flag "Alabaman" and suggest "Alabamian"
  • Will flag "Los Angelean" and suggest "Angeleno"
  • Will flag "Manchesterian" and suggest "Mancunian"
  • Will flag "Saudi Arabian" and suggest "Saudi"
  • Will flag "Minneapolisian" and suggest "Minneapolitan"
  • Will flag "Hong Kongite" or "Hong Kongian" and suggest "Hong Konger"

The rule is case-sensitive and provides automatic replacement suggestions through Vale's replace action. It covers a comprehensive list of demonyms from various cities, states, and countries, focusing particularly on commonly confused or miswritten forms. The rule helps maintain consistency in geographical references and ensures writers use the most widely accepted forms of these terms.

Rule Source

This rule comes from: https://github.com/mesosphere/dcos-docs-site

Rule Definition

extends: substitution
message: Did you mean '%s'?
ignorecase: false
action:
  name: replace
swap:
  (?:Afrikaaner|Afrikander):             Afrikaner
  (?:Hong Kongite|Hong Kongian):         Hong Konger
  (?:Indianan|Indianian):                Hoosier
  (?:Michiganite|Michiganian):           Michigander
  (?:New Hampshireite|New Hampshireman): New Hampshirite
  (?:Newcastlite|Newcastleite):          Novocastrian
  (?:Providencian|Providencer):          Providentian
  (?:Trentian|Trentonian):               Tridentine
  (?:Warsawer|Warsawian):                Varsovian
  (?:Wolverhamptonite|Wolverhamptonian): Wulfrunian
  Alabaman:                              Alabamian
  Albuquerquian:                         Albuquerquean
  Anchoragite:                           Anchorageite
  Arizonian:                             Arizonan
  Arkansawyer:                           Arkansan
  Belarusan:                             Belarusian
  Cayman Islander:                       Caymanian
  Coloradoan:                            Coloradan
  Connecticuter:                         Nutmegger
  Fairbanksian:                          Fairbanksan
  Fort Worther:                          Fort Worthian
  Grenadian:                             Grenadan
  Halifaxer:                             Haligonian
  Hartlepoolian:                         Hartlepudlian
  Illinoisian:                           Illinoisan
  Iowegian:                              Iowan
  Leedsian:                              Leodenisian
  Liverpoolian:                          Liverpudlian
  Los Angelean:                          Angeleno
  Manchesterian:                         Mancunian
  Minneapolisian:                        Minneapolitan
  Missouran:                             Missourian
  Monacan:                               Monegasque
  Neopolitan:                            Neapolitan
  New Jerseyite:                         New Jerseyan
  New Orleansian:                        New Orleanian
  Oklahoma Citian:                       Oklahoma Cityan
  Oklahomian:                            Oklahoman
  Saudi Arabian:                         Saudi
  Seattlite:                             Seattleite
  Surinamer:                             Surinamese
  Tallahassean:                          Tallahasseean
  Tennesseean:                           Tennessean
  Trois-Rivièrester:                     Trifluvian
  Utahan:                                Utahn
  Valladolidian:                         Vallisoletano