Quoted Book USFM "\BK"

Question

Does anyone know if the Scripture reference check validates book names marked with the quoted book name USFM \bk…\bk* ? I am making training materials on book introductions and I need to know.

Answer 1

The following should be the list of all markers that are checked by the References check (as of 8.0.100.21):
fr, r, fig, ior, rq, mr, ipr, sr
xo, xt, xq, xk, xot, xnt, xdc

Answer 2

No, I just tested and it does not.

Comments

I guess we could ask the devs to include this, but that is when we would find out just how creative people have been with USFM codes, as it would start flagging any occurances in projects where it was not used for a book name.

Answer 3

I would like to suggest that we include the \bk marker in the Scripture reference check, because once users see the training on Book Introductions they are going to want to use the marker. Much of the power or Paratext comes from marking text for the type of content the string is. The online course will stress that markers are primarily marking text for what it is and only secondarily for format. This is one of the main ways that Paratext is vastly superior than any commercial word processor for Bible translation.

Comments

Yes, that is a good request, I already have users who use it properly in
the intro and I have to manually check whether it matches any of the toc
choices. But you need to add to the request, the ability to match any toc
level since their choice here can be different than elsewhere and there may
be two choices in the same intro … The Gospel of Matthew (Mat)…

Blessings,

Shegnada J.

Language Technology & Publishing Coordinator, SIL Nigeria

Complex Script Layout Specialist, GPS Dallas

Skype: Shegnada.james.

([Phone Removed]

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I use the \bk marker to for non-Biblical books in footnotes and in introductions. For example, I use it when I want to make the name of the translation italic in the preface. I would not support making \bk something checked.

One thing you could do if your Scripture reference settings allow it is \bk \+xt book name\+xt*\bk*.

The current system of markers checked by the reference checker needs improvement but could be used. The system needs to be adjusted to allow more freedom in the way books are referenced. The 3.0 schema that will be introduced in 8.1 will allow more flexible linking, however at the cost of putting URLs on the page.