Measures and numbers

Encoding Instructions (new P5 version)

The WWP uses the TEImeasure element to encode numbers which represent measures such as lengths, monetary values, areas, distances, and so forth. The TEI provides attributes with which to indicate the unit of measurement, but the WWP does not currently use these except in the TEI header. Our primary use for the measure element is to provide a way of encoding renditionally distinct phrases which in fact represent measurements. We may in the future provide uniform encoding of all measurements found in our texts, but we are not undertaking that work at this point.

Example 1. Price <measure>1 shilling</measure> 

Example 2. Price <measure>1 s.</measure> 

Example 3. <measure>2 copies</measure> 

Example 4. Sugar, <measure>3 lbs.</measure> Note that the
          abbreviated forms of monetary values such as “s.” for “shilling” should not be tagged with
          <abbr>, since they are on the list of frequently occurring abbreviations
          which we only tag if renditionally distinct. In the cases listed above, the
          <measure> element is sufficient to account for the rendition, and hence the
          <abbr> element is not necessary.