Writing Lessons: Abbreviations

In the attached document you will find the first lesson on abbreviations, of module 18 of the writing lessons. The lesson is sent by email on the first Friday of each month

In this lesson, we will discuss what abbreviations are, some of the various types that exist, and their main characteristics.

Abbreviations

They are reduction procedures that allow abbreviating any word or group of words that serve to simplify the language. Their use has expanded in recent years because they save time and space when writing. While some abbreviations have fallen into disuse, others are commonly used.


There are different types of abbreviations, which are governed by independent rules: abbreviations, acronyms, acronyms, and symbols. While abbreviations and symbols serve to abbreviate words, acronyms and acronyms abbreviate phrases.


However, although abbreviations have become very important in recent times, there are no uniform criteria regarding their definitions and uses. Some do not even respond to any particular rule. Therefore, it is recommended, if possible, not to abuse them in writing.

Abbreviations


An abbreviation is called the way of graphically representing words in writing with only one or more of their letters. It consists of the elimination of any of the letters or syllables of its complete writing.


Conventional abbreviations in general use are established by custom. Although there are no fixed rules for its formation, there are certain rules that must be taken into account: 

You may also be interested in what does wtw mean in texting

1) They always end with a period. It can be followed by another punctuation mark, except for another period:


etc., e.g .:


2) The period can be replaced by a slash in certain commercial abbreviations:


c / (account)


3) The accent of the abbreviated word must be respected:


no. (number) p. (page)


4) In general, abbreviations are written in lower case. However, courtesy and courtesy formulas or expressions of respect are represented with a capital letter:


Dr. (doctor) Mr. (sir) You (you)


Keep in mind that the whole word is written in lowercase.


5) There are double abbreviations, which can be written in both uppercase and lowercase. Many times, the meaning changes:


Gral. (General, military position) gral. (general)


6) Some abbreviations have more than one form:


no. No. no. n. º (number) tel. phone TE (phone)


7) For plural forms, in some cases "-s" or "-es" is added:


P. (pages) Messrs. (gentlemen)


In other cases, the initial letter is doubled:


USA (United States)


8) There are some forms that are not considered abbreviations, but rather familiar uses of certain terms. For instance:


pen (pen) bike (bicycle) photo (photography) TV (television)


Generally, they are used according to the communicative context or the recipient, especially in oral language. However, some forms (such as photos) have acquired enormous importance and have almost replaced the original word.


9) On the other hand, today it is common —and mandatory in technical texts— not to write a period after abbreviations for measurement units, such as m ( meter ), km ( kilometer ), mg ( milligram ), MHz ( megahertz ); nor behind the abbreviations of the horizon points: N, NE, E, SW ( North, Northeast, East, Southwest ).

Next lesson:

In the next lesson, we will continue with the analysis of the various types of abbreviations, their characteristics, and their uses.

Bibliography :

_ EFE Agency, Urgent Spanish Manual, Madrid, Cátedra, 1990.


_ Belluscio, Augusto C., Legal technique for the writing of briefs and sentences. Grammar Rules , Buenos Aires, La Ley, 2006.


_ García Negroni, María Marta, Laura Pérgola and Mirta Stern, The art of writing well in Spanish. Style correction manual , Buenos Aires, Santiago Arcos, 2004.


_ Hall, Beatriz, Ricardo Santoni and Mirta Stern, Verbal and written communication. Introduction to oral and written expression. Grammatical, textual, and discursive aspects of academic discourse, Buenos Aires, LEUKA, 2000.


_ Labrada, Pelayo Ariel, “III.- The most common mistakes”, in Forensic Terminology [online], http://www.terminologiaforense.com.ar/princip.htm [accessed: August 16, 2011].


_ Mizraji, Margarita and others, Correction of style. Basic standards , Buenos Aires, Sintagma Ediciones, 1995.


_ Royal Spanish Academy, Pan-Hispanic Dictionary of Doubts, Madrid, Espasa-Calpe, 2005.


_ Royal Spanish Academy, New grammar of the Spanish language. Manual , Buenos Aires, Espasa, 2010.


_ Seco, Manuel, Dictionary of doubts and difficulties of the Spanish language, Madrid, Espasa Calpe, 1986.