When is it Okay to Not Capitalize 'I'?

It is a common linguistic convention to capitalize the pronoun 'I' as a sign of respect and to distinguish it from other words. However, there are instances where it is perfectly acceptable—and sometimes intentional—to not capitalize 'I', especially in creative writing such as poetry. This practice can serve various literary, philosophical, and artistic purposes. Let's explore when and why you might choose to omit the capitalization of 'I'.

Poetry

In the realm of poetry, capitalization rules tend to be more flexible and can be used to create unique effects, add emphasis, or convey specific meanings. For instance, william carlos williams (known for his poetry) and e.e. cummings famously omitted the capitalization of 'I' in their works. This technique can be employed to differentiate the speaker's voice from standard prose, or to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy.

Consider the following example from a poem that does not capitalize 'i':

I wonder. I know the poet Will Inman did that in his poetry and probably a couple of other interesting writers have. I had a 10-year correspondence and a loose friendship with Tucson poet and original thinker Will Inman who did not capitalize the 'i' in his poems. When I asked Will if there was a connection, he said no. He might have told me that the reason was to have humankind equal to nature and other phenomena like 'god'. He also regularly did not capitalize the Deity as I have shown in the above sentence.

Such practices can contribute to a sense of unity between the speaker and the natural world. It also works to break away from conventional typography, making the text more visually striking.

Philosophical and Literary Justifications

There are philosophical and literary reasons for the omission of capital 'I' in certain contexts. One notable example is the philosophical concept of the "I-Thou" relationship, formulated by Martin Buber in his groundbreaking work I and Thou (1923).

According to Buber, the "I-Thou" relationship represents a direct, personal encounter between two individuals or entities. By abiding the tradition of writing 'I' in lowercase, a poet or writer can emphasize this connection, making the self and the object of experience indistinguishable and equal. This idea is closely linked to the concept of existentialism, where the self is seen as fundamentally connected to the world around it.

Additionally, the act of not capitalizing 'I' can reflect a stream-of-consciousness writing style, where the barrier between the writer and the reader is minimized. This makes the text more immersive and reflective of a spontaneous, personal thought process.

When to Not Capitalize 'I'

There are specific instances where the capitalization of 'I' can be omitted:

1. In Poetry and Creative Writing: As seen in the examples above, the choice to drop the capitalization of 'I' can serve as a stylistic tool to create a unique voice or mood. 2. In e.e. Cummings' Writing: His use of lowercase 'i' was a nod to his innovative approach to language and poetry. If you find yourself quoting from his works, the convention would be to keep the 'i' lowercase. 3. When Not Starting a Sentence with 'I': If 'I' is not the first word of a sentence, it does not need to be capitalized. For instance, in the sentence 'I wonder,' 'I' is not capitalized. 4. When 'I' Is Not a Proper Noun: 'I' is not considered a proper noun unless it is being used to refer to a specific person. Therefore, it should not be capitalized.

It is essential to be mindful of the context and the purpose of your writing. Capitalizing 'I' remains correct and conventional in most formal writing. However, poets and authors seeking to break away from tradition can choose to omit the capitalization to create an impactful and unique writing style.

Conclusion

The choice to not capitalize 'I' is a powerful tool utilized by writers and poets for various reasons, including philosophical implications, artistic expression, and breaking away from conventional norms. Understanding when it is acceptable to do so can enhance your writing and add depth to your literary works.