Translates of L∞ functions and of bounded measures

Abstract

D. A. Edwards has shown [1] that if X is a locally compact Abelian group and f ∈ L∞, then the translate fa of f varies continuously with α if and only if f is (equal l.a.e. to) a bounded, uniformly continuous function. He remarks that this is a sort of dual to part of a result due to Plessner and Raikov which asserts that an element μ of the space Mb of bounded Radon measures on X belongs to L1 (i.e., is absolutely continuous relative to Haar measure) if and only its translates vary continuously with the group element, the relevant topology on Mb being that defined by the natural norm of Mb as the dual of the space of continuous functions vanishing at infinity. The proof he uses (ascribed to Reiter) applies equally well in both cases, and also to the case in which X is non-Abelian. A brief examination shows that in the latter case it is ultimately immaterial whether left- or right-translates are considered; since the extra complexities of this case are principally terminological, we shall direct no further attention to it.