How to Pronounce Abbreviations

Jan 23, 2015 22:13
Today, I learned laws of how to pronounce abbreviations.

Firstly, if the abbreviation is composed of 2 characters, it should be pronounced in unabbreviated form.

For example, "i.e." is pronounced "that is," and "e.g." is pronounced "for example."

Secondly, if the abbreviation is composed of 3 characters, it should be pronounced each characters.

For example, "WHO," "TPP," "ODA," and "FBI."

Thirdly, if the abbreviation is composed of 4 or more characters, it should be pronounced literally.

For example, "NATO," "AIDS," "NASA," and "UNESCO."

However, there are many exceptions.

For example, "UCLA" is pronounced "yuu-see-el-ei," "MIT" is sometimes pronounced "mit."

I think the way of pronounce depends on its readability, understandability, and degree of coolness.
No. 1　ScannerTiger's correction
  • For example, "UCLA" is pronounced "yuu-see-el-ei," "MIT" is sometimes pronounced "mit."
  • For example, "UCLA" is pronounced "yuu-see-el-ei," "MIT" is pronounced "emm iyy tee"
kanotown
Thank you so much for your correction! :)
No. 2　Dan's correction
  • Today, I learned laws of how to pronounce abbreviations.
  • Today, I learned laws of how to pronounce the pronunciation rules for abbreviations.
    　Laws: Not incorrect, but in this context, "rules" is better.
    Pronounciation rules: this sounds far more natural than "of how to pronounce".
  • Firstly, if the abbreviation is composed of 2 characters, it should be pronounced in unabbreviated form.
  • Firstly, if the abbreviation is composed of 2 characters, it should be pronounced in its unabbreviated form.
  • For example, "i.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • e." is pronounced "that is," and "e.
  • e." is pronounced read as "that is," and "e.
  • g." is pronounced "for example."
  • g." is pronounced read as "for example."
    　"read as" is better hear because "pronounce" means "to literally say as its written". So the pronunciation of "e.g." IS ee-jee, but it is read as for example" because that is what it stands for.
  • Secondly, if the abbreviation is composed of 3 characters, it should be pronounced each characters.
  • Secondly, if the abbreviation is composed of 3 characters, it each character should be pronounced each characters.
  • For example, "WHO," "TPP," "ODA," and "FBI."
  • For example, "W.H.O.," "T.P.P.," "O.D.A.," and "F.B.I."
  • Thirdly, if the abbreviation is composed of 4 or more characters, it should be pronounced literally.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • However, there are many exceptions.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • For example, "UCLA" is pronounced "yuu-see-el-ei," "MIT" is sometimes pronounced "mit."
  • For example, "UCLA" is pronounced "yuu-see-el-ei," and "MIT" is sometimes pronounced "mit."
  • I think the way of pronounce depends on its readability, understandability, and degree of coolness.
  • I think the way of pronounce pronunciation of something depends on how easy it is too read it, understand it, and how cool it is. its readability, understandability, and degree of coolness.
I've never learnt these rules... you learn a new thing everyday, eh? But you're right, there are loads of exceptions.I think possibly the first one is more accurate as "if the abbreviation is in lower case letters, read it as a whole word", for example, "ltd." is always read as "limited", or "a.s.a.p." is read as "as soon as possible".

Hope this helps!

Dan x
kanotown
Thank you very much for your kind correction! (^-^)

Yes! I try to learn a new thing everyday. :D
Actually, I learned these rules from half-baked source, and your advice let the first rule become more accurate!!
I really appreciate it. (*'▽')
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