Vita

Curriculum Vitae

CV

What is the proper use of the terms "vitae" and "vita" and "CV"?

The minutiae of this controversial question remain the topic of vigorous debate. However, a recent issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education served to standardize the usage somewhat by passing along the following information:

The term "curriculum vitae" translates as something close to "course of life." The term "vita" translates as simply "life." The correct label for one's (single) document can be either "curriculum vitae" or simply "vita." In other words, one does not use the term "vitae" by itself, nor does one write "curriculum vita".

In informal conversation we often hear academicians call this document a "CV," thus avoiding the Latin forms altogether. This practice is widely accepted, but we do not recommend your putting "CV" at the top of your curriculum vitae for employment applications. It is better to use one of the two acceptable forms shown above.