An acronym is a word or name formed as an abbreviation from the initial components in a phrase or a word.
Some common acronyms are: NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), POTUS (President of the United States).
Government agencies and QANGO or QUANGO (Quasi-Autonomous Non-Government Organisations) and the military thrive on acronyms. This can be a real challenge if you aren't familiar with the acronyms.
In Australia, the Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers published by the Australian Government Printer since 1966, sets out standards for usage of almost everything we produce, including acronyms.
In most official publications that include many acronyms a list of acronyms is provided at the rear of the publication as shown in this screen capture from a Defence Department publication.
When only a few uncommon acronyms are being used, the Style Manual suggests that the full name should be shown after the acronym is used the first time. Such as in this example, LNP (Liberal-National Party). Readers are then expected to remember what the acronym means.
I would expect most languages to have style manuals and methods for dealing with acronyms and other style issues that occur in their communication.
Hopefully, while you are improving your English, you will now know where to look for the meanings of acronyms you see.
Comments
Thank you, Robin.
Onee-chan. Language use is, as you know, different in every country and often within states and provinces, so either of your acronyms: VNRC or MVC could be correct within the places where they are used.
Nowadays, we can find the meanings of acronyms on Google. :D However, we can hardly find the acronyms or abbreviation in other language.
I still wonder if this abbreviation is correct.
Vehicle Number Registration Certificate (VNRC)
OR
Motor Vehicle Certificate (MVC)
OR both are wrong. :))
Thank you for this blog, Robin.
Most organizations have acronyms such as government agencies and political parties. I agree, full name of an organization after an acronym must be shown for the readers' benefit. I've read some articles in print doing the same thing. Thank you for sharing your blog, Robinoz!