As you probably know, notation from Tables 2-6 can only be added where there are instructions to do so, unlike Table 1 Standard Subdivisions, which can generally be added anywhere unless instructions say otherwise (subject to a few restrictions—see the Introduction, 8(A)).
However, Table 2 notation can also be added to both numbers since there are standard subdivisions that build from it, namely T1—09 for areas in general and T1—093-099 for specific areas. This is also true of the ethnic and national groups of Table 5, via standard subdivision T1—089. Anecdotally, I think T1—09 is used more, though don’t forget that T1—08 is higher in the table of preference for Table 1 if you’re in doubt.
Thus, it’s easy to think of Table 2 as functionally more standard subdivisions. But they’re not! That means if you’re adding Table 2 directly, following instructions in the schedules, such as at 327.3-327.9 for international relations, you can still add a standard subdivision from Table 1 to the result, e.g., United States foreign relations 327.73, United States foreign relations in the 19th century 327.73009034.
Otherwise, you can’t add one standard subdivision to another. That’s one of the restrictions laid out in the Introduction and at the beginning of Table 1. But there are some places where additional add table notation or other devices let you get around that, or to express multiple standard subdivision concepts while technically only using standard subdivisions once. Isn’t it fun how there are exceptions nested among exceptions?!
A great example of this is at T1—093-099.
The subdivisions with colons are add table notation. Some of them, such as the 03 and 05, are concepts also found in standard subdivisions. This lets you build a number like, say, a journal dedicated to nanotechnology in China, 620.5095105. The only standard subdivision there is the 09. You couldn’t add T1—05 after adding the notation for China, then, but you can still add T1—093-T1—099:05.
Just be careful when you use such devices. There is notably no 08 here, and the meaning of the notation besides 03 and 05 is narrowed compared to the full Table 1 standard subdivisions.
I want to close with something that’s been puzzling me, and I’m hoping someone can shed some light on the situation. Many, many WebDewey users use T1—093-T1—099:093-099 to express geographic notation instead of just standard subdivision T1—093-T1—099, and I don’t know why! You should only use this add table if you’ve already added T1—093-T1—099 first, not add it directly to base numbers.
I assume it’s harder to get to T1—093-T1—099:093-099 than T1—093-T1—099, and it would display later in search results. Are users bookmarking it? Is there a handy keyword search that favors it?
Now, in many cases, the actual number built still turns out correctly, but this does throw off things like the segmentation mark and synthesized number components. I have to manually fix those in contributed numbers before publishing them. But if you’ve been using T1—093-T1—099:093-099 this way, maybe try to break the habit. I still really want to know why the practice seems so common, though! Please share if you have any thoughts.
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