RE:Do You Pronounce

["Blount, Patricia A" <Patricia -dot- Blount -at- ca -dot- com>]

Forgive me, coming late to the party, as I am on digest...

I share your pain, as this issue has plagued me since I began writing.
(Our problems began with SQL. Is it 'es cue el' or is it 'sequel'?) 

My own rule of thumb is this: if there are no vowels in the
abbreviation, then it cannot be an acronym, because acronyms are, by
definition, WORDS formed from the initials of letters. Without a vowel,
it's difficult to pronounce it as a word, though exceptions abound,
naturally (SCSI, for one). 

This is why I despise 'sequel', but am forced to use it, as that's a
Microsoft preference. 

I would avoid treating FQDN as an acronym, as the pronunciation of it
can easily trip up the tongue into sounding obscene. If at all possible,
try substituting "the" as the article, to avoid the a/an debate. 

Hope this helps,

Patricia Blount




^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.