Q. I have been editing a book written in English by a European historian, whose likely publishers do not have an English-language editor, so I have nobody to consult. I was specifically instructed to use Chicago style. There are many references to heights of monuments, in meters. The targeted readership is probably academic. Is it necessary to give the American equivalent in each case?
A. It’s a matter of editorial judgment. If the book is being published for American readers, it’s a good idea to give American equivalents. If not, there may be little point.