William, This is expected behaviour as described in documentation: http://download-east.oracle.com/docs/cd/B10501_01/server.920/a96529/ch4.htm (vey bottom of the page) Regards Mindaugas Navickas ----- Original Message ---- From: William Wagman <wjwagman@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: Oracle Freelists.org <Oracle-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 4:16:02 PM Subject: Help me understand sorting Greetings, I am hoping someone can help me understand how NLS_SORT influences sorting or point me at documentation which will explain things. I don't understand it. Here is the scenario...