When it comes to navigation or describing a specific location on a map, understanding how to say coordinates is essential. Coordinates provide precise information regarding a point’s position on the earth’s surface. Whether you want to provide coordinates formally or informally, this guide has got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain various ways to express coordinates, including regional variations where necessary. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways of Saying Coordinates
Formal ways of saying coordinates are generally preferred in professional settings, such as academic or scientific research, official documentation, or when giving precise directions.
1.1. Decimal Degrees
Decimal degrees is the most commonly used format in formal communication. In this system, latitude and longitude are expressed as decimal numbers.
For example, the coordinates for the city of London in decimal degrees are:
- Latitude: 51.5074° N
- Longitude: 0.1278° W
To pronounce the above coordinates formally, you would say: “Latitude fifty-one-point-five-zero-seven-four degrees North, Longitude zero-point-one-two-seven-eight degrees West.”
1.2. Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS)
Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds (DMS) is another formal way of expressing coordinates. In this format, latitude and longitude are divided into degrees (°), minutes (‘), and seconds (“).
For example, the coordinates for the city of Paris in DMS are:
- Latitude: 48° 51′ 24″ N
- Longitude: 2° 21′ 03″ E
To say these coordinates formally, you would pronounce them as: “Latitude forty-eight degrees, fifty-one minutes, twenty-four seconds North, Longitude two degrees, twenty-one minutes, three seconds East.”
2. Informal Ways of Saying Coordinates
Informal ways of expressing coordinates are commonly used in day-to-day conversations, casual directions, or when communicating with friends and family.
2.1. Simple Numbers
In informal contexts, coordinates can often be simplified, using just the numbers of degrees for both latitude and longitude.
For instance, when informally describing the city of New York, you can say:
- Latitude: 40°
- Longitude: -74°
Informally, you would pronounce the above coordinates as: “Latitude forty degrees, Longitude negative seventy-four degrees.”
2.2. Street Addresses or Landmarks
Another informal way of expressing coordinates is by referring to street addresses or popular landmarks.
For example, when providing informal coordinates for the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you could simply say: “The Eiffel Tower is located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.”
Or you could give a street address: “The Eiffel Tower is located at Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France.”
3. Regional Variations in Coordinate Communication
While coordinate communication primarily follows universal standards, there are some regional variations worth noting. These variations are typically related to the way longitude is mentioned.
3.1. East/West vs. Plus/Minus
In some regions, instead of using “West” or “East” to indicate the direction of the longitude coordinate, the symbols “+” and “-” are used.
For instance, when providing coordinates for a location in Tokyo informally, you might say:
- Latitude: 35.6895° N
- Longitude: +139.6917°
Informally, you would pronounce these coordinates as: “Latitude thirty-five-point-six-eight-nine-five degrees North, Longitude plus one-thirty-nine-point-six-nine-one-seven degrees.”
Conclusion
Saying coordinates on a map is an essential skill when it comes to navigation and describing specific locations. By understanding both formal and informal ways of expressing coordinates, you can effectively communicate your position with precision. Whether you choose to use decimal degrees, degrees, minutes, and seconds, simple numbers, or even refer to street addresses or landmarks, the key is to convey accurate information while considering the context of your communication. So next time you find yourself needing to describe coordinates on a map, follow this guide to ensure clear and accurate communication!
