Initialisms in linguistics. Likewise, when ‘un-‘ is attached to ‘happy’, meaning is reversed Before discussing folk etymologies for initialisms that circulate as riddles, it is useful to consider how those who coin initialisms exploit these various possibilities of meaning. Dimitrakopoulou & D. here). Internet slang and the popularity of texting have also added a great number of initialisms to the lexicon. Dec 20, 2023 · Additionally, initialisms contribute to the standardization of language, ensuring that everyone in the industry is on the same page when it comes to referencing specific terms. Here are some Malay-English initialisms from a single article on page 6 of the 2 November 2016 edition of Berita Harian, a newspaper published in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. computational linguistics, 'g2g' is an example of _____ . Understanding their types and usage is crucial, as they enhance communication efficiency, foster group identity, and reflect cultural norms and linguistic evolution. 2016). I did not state anywhere that English has more initialisms/acronyms than any other language, nor did I want to prove that; I was simply asking if there is a reason behind the relatively frequent usage of initialisms/acronyms in the written English language (particularly the language found on internet forums such as reddit), assuming other 4 days ago · orphan initialism (plural orphan initialisms) (linguistics) An existing initialism which has been redefined as a nonacronymous name, severing its link to its previous meaning. Spoonerisms Dec 18, 2017 · This study investigates the phonological, semantic, and pragmatic features of acronyms in Arabic. In Agathopoulou, E. an abbreviation D. quotations Sep 27, 2022 · The popularity of various types of abbreviations makes it necessary to rediscuss their categorization and possible disambiguation. 1989. From the office to casual chats, these shortcuts are everywhere, compacting complex phrases into bite-sized, easily digestible pieces. UOC Language & Style: Guidelines on English acronyms and initialisms. machine translation D. While articles follow their declensions, acronyms themselves aren't marked. Acronyms are abbreviations that are pronounced like words. acronymization, Abbreviations in computer-mediated communication _____ A Nov 17, 2022 · In this week’s Everyday Grammar, we will learn about how to create two types of abbreviations: acronyms and initialisms. Initialisms are commonly used in academic, technical, and government Jan 7, 2022 · Initialisms: Definition Meaning Difference & Examples StudySmarter OriginalWhat is the meaning of an initialism? An initialism is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of words in phrases. , M. For common questions, please refer to the FAQs below. Initialisms and acronyms condense information, yet risk confusion if not crafted wisely. A. At the heart of this question is the notion of grammar, or the set of structural rules that govern the composition of words, phrases, and sentences in a language. Abbreviation “Abbreviation” refers to the process by which words or phrases are shortened and condensed, as well as the product of that process. It is usually pronounced as individual letters (not as a word on its own). The international word list includes all of the words in the other word list. Acronyms and Initialisms are different types of abbreviations. 1. Jan 1, 2022 · PDF | On Jan 1, 2022, Dmytro BORYS published INITIALISMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY ENGLISH SLANG | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate It also aims to identify the linguistic features (Initialisms) that used in written English in the communication done via the electronic devices. Electronic discourse is a new variety of language that leads to significant variations in written Jan 25, 2017 · This document contains a practice test for linguistics with 45 multiple choice questions covering various topics in linguistics including: - Parentese and teacher talk - Linguistic phenomena such as apocope, epenthesis, assimilation, and initialisms - Key figures in the development of linguistics such as Ferdinand de Saussure, Noam Chomsky, and Jakob Grimm - Core areas of linguistics including We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Abbreviations are widely used in common speech and popular culture as well as in academic and scholarly Download scientific diagram | McArthur (2000: 40) states that from publication: Linguistic Dimensions of Initialisms used in Electronic Communication | The language of electronic communication is Acronyms may instead be pronounced letter by letter, in which case, they are sometimes called initialisms. Spoken or Written Language? A common appearance of its most frequent linguistic patterns would comprise shortening, clippings and contractions, unconventional spellings, word-letter replacement, word-digits replacement, word combination, initialisms and emoticons. In English, the attachment of ‘-ness’ to an adjective such as ‘faithful’ derives the noun ‘faithfulness’. ), Language and new media: Linguistic, cultural, and technological evolutions, 55 – 73. The language of electronic communication is a new variety of language. The volume of Selected Papers on Theoretical and Applied Linguistics is published nearly every two years and contains a selection of the papers presented at the International Symposium of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, organized by the School of English. The evolving role of scientific initialisms in English academic writing in the 19th and early 20th centuries will be shown in a systematic, corpus-based analysis. The difference between these three word forms is that acronyms are designed to be pronounced, while initialisms and alphabetisms are created without regard to pronunciation. Vazou). The words are called compounds or compound words. BBC vs NASA - there’s a subtle difference in how you categorise these abbreviations. The symbols < and > are used to show the direction of change in the study of historical linguistics. A common appearance of its most frequent linguistic patterns would comprise shortening, clippings and contractions, unconventional spellings, word-letter replacement, word-digits replacement, word combination, initialisms and emoticons. an abbreviation consisting of the first letters of each word in the name of something…. Abbreviations and acronyms are dealt with morphologically as word-formation processes and semantically as Terms and Definitions LING 216 is about the systematic study of words in English. is a common abbreviation in English and is used to shorten the word established. Descrip tion ofthe 631 items, an updated number from my 13,683-item corpus described in Historical change (Cannon 1987), may shed light on Jul 12, 2022 · An abbreviation is a shortened word or phrase, for example, est. Jul 1, 2013 · It also aims to identify the linguistic features (Initialisms) that used in written English in the communication done via the electronic devices. Feb 23, 2025 · Abbreviation vs acronym vs initialism explained! Learn their differences, see examples, and discover when to use them in writing and speech. Anyway, to answer your original question: initialisms such as U. Are there acronyms/initialisms in Mandarin or other languages using Chinese orthography? If so, how do they work? Linguistics Social science Communication studies Science Information & communications technology Technology comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment CalibanDrive •• Edited Additional comment actions What Are Orphan Initialisms? Certain abbreviations have outgrown their original meanings and evolved into new terms. Related materials Contraction Clipping Blending Abbreviations Acronyms FAQs What is the difference between an acronym and an initialism? The language of electronic communication (e-mail, chats, and web-based discussions and SMS messages) and the linguistic features (Initialisms) that used in written English in the communication done via the electronic devices are identified. com May 23, 2024 · For example, many people prefer to say “amphetamine” rather than “alpha-methyl-phenethylamine,” because the first word is much easier to remember, say, and write. Introduction This study aims to make a contrastive examination of Roman alphabetic initialisms (RAI s for short) used on Chinese and Japanese social media respectively. It is shown that the linking of denotational (semantic and/or categorial) and socio-expressive (pragmatic) heads defines the different classes of compounds in a highly restrictive Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Choose the words with the fewest Affixes, Choose the two words that illustrate hypocorism. initialisms B. In Italian, acronyms and initialisms stay unchanged, and articles do all the work. The development of scientific initialisms is illustrated with frequency data, a discussion of the evolution of the text topics obtained from topic modelling and an analysis of the development of information-theoretic surprisal values of Particularly the German data show higher surprisal values of initialisms in mediated language than in non-mediated discourse types, which indicates that in German mediated discourse, initialisms tend to be used in less conventionalised textual contexts than in English. Additionally, it highlights the prevalence of these linguistic Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Internet chatting and cell phone text messaging are examples of _____ . An acronym is made up of the first letter from each word in a phrase, such as Anagrams transmute words into new meanings, challenging minds with clever wordplay. Learn pronunciation, formatting and usage rules for clear, concise communication Acronyms and initialisms are convenient ways of avoiding having to write out strings of words. May 23, 2024 · The proliferation of complicated terminology, especially in the fields of science and technology, have contributed to the convenience of acronyms and initialisms in the modern world. This paper focusses on the role of initialisms in scientific English articles in the Royal Society Corpus (Fischer et al. See full list on thoughtco. The object of investigation are 64 compounds explicitly marked for stance. an initialism B. Grammatical usage in computer-mediated Dec 18, 2017 · This study investigates the phonological, semantic, and pragmatic features of acronyms in Arabic. The paper explores the various forms of abbreviations, specifically acronyms and initialisms, and distinguishes between them and other shortening techniques like contractions. That is, when we say an acronym out loud, we treat it like a word instead of like individual letters. As we navigate the linguistic landscape, understanding the distinctions between acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations enriches our language comprehension. Dec 11, 2024 · Some examples of initialisms are: FBI which stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation, or CBC which stands for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. While the primary audience is Canadian students of Introduction to Linguistics, it is also suitable for learners elsewhere, in online How Are Acronyms And Initialisms Used In Slang Formation? In this engaging video, we will dive into the fascinating world of acronyms and initialisms in slang formation. Initialisms are commonly used in academic, technical, and Initialisms are typically formed by using the first letter of each word in a phrase or organization's name. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. , Which two words are examples of initialisms? and more. Some occur to alter meaning and/or part of speech (derivational), others show grammatical relationships between words (inflectional). See examples of INITIALISM used in a sentence. More specifically, we show that these abbreviated configurations take the forms of: (A) “initialisms”: objects of the written language; (B) “acronyms”: legitimate pronounceable objects; (C) “meaningful” objects: legitimate elements of the lexicon. Abbreviation of Multi-Word Phrases: Initialisms represent longer phrases or names, shortening them for Aug 23, 2025 · initialism (plural initialisms) (linguistics) A term formed from the initial letters of several words or parts of words, which is itself pronounced letter by letter. Google Scholar Biber, Douglas & Finegan, Edward. Electronic communication leads to remarkable variations in written form of English Towards an account of acronyms / initialisms in Greek (with E. Dec 17, 2021 · This research aims at the modern Internet linguistics features by carrying out linguistic analysis using descriptive statistics of students in distance learning. Jun 6, 2025 · Initialisms, on the other hand, are similar but are pronounced letter by letter, such as “FBI” for Federal Bureau of Investigation. are not usually allowed in word games because they are effectively without limit. This study also focuses on how the language of the Internet has unique linguistic dimension and its implication on the learning of English. Like acronyms, initialisms are typically nouns and are used in both written and spoken communication, especially when the full term is lengthy or cumbersome to repeat. The meaning of INITIALISM is an abbreviation formed from initial letters. They are commonly used in various fields, including science, technology, and government, to create concise and recognizable abbreviations. Associate Professor of Linguistics, Majmaah University - Cited by 462 - Applied linguistics - Internet Linguistics - Machine Translation - CALL AbuSa’aleek (2013) conducted a study to categorize the linguistic features of (Initialisms) that used in the language of (e-mail, chats, and web-based discussions and instant messages) and focuses on how the e-discourse has distinctive linguistic dimension. We rely on categorization types applied in cognitive linguistics AbuSa’aleek (2013) conducted a study to categorize the linguistic features of (Initialisms) that used in the language of (e-mail, chats, and web-based discussions and instant messages) and Initialism definition: a set of initials representing a name, organization, or the like, with each letter pronounced separately, as FBI for Federal Bureau of Investigation. In other words, it refers to the ways in which new words are made on the basis of other words. As literacy rose, and Nevertheless, word formation remains an understudied area in corpus work on specialised registers and on translated and interpreted discourse. May 14, 2024 · In linguistics, word formation is the creation of a new word by making changes in existing words or by creating words. Oct 13, 2025 · acronym (plural acronyms) (linguistics) An abbreviation formed by the initial letters of other words. For those looking to deepen their appreciation for linguistics, the reading list is a list of recommended texts on areas of linguistic and language research compiled by resident experts here at Reddit. MembersOnline This is a community for discussions related to topics and questions about linguistics, the scientific study of human language. In this paper, we discuss the phases through which Greek initialisms / acronyms are created. INITIALISM meaning: 1. Examples: Jan 27, 2015 · The revolution in the electronic communication may give rise to new modes of communication. Types of Word Formation Processes Compounding Compounding forms a word out of two or more root morphemes. In the field of linguistics, abbreviation is a broad area of study that covers the many ways in which words have become shortened over time. It also aims to identify the linguistic features (Initialisms) that used in written English in the communication done via the electronic devices. Native English roots are typically free morphemes, so that means native compounds are made out of independent words that can occur by themselves. Pangrams showcase linguistic prowess by using every letter, providing a captivating challenge for word enthusiasts. clipping C. #english #englishlanguage #linguistics #nasa #interestingfact Poznań Studies in Contemporary Linguistics, 2015 This study deals with the morphology-pragmatics interface in Modern Greek compounding. Acronyms in Arabic have appeared quite recently as a result of globalization and exposure to or Jul 8, 2024 · Whether you're a polyglot in the making or just starting your linguistic journey, our channel is your go-to destination for building a rich vocabulary and mastering languages effortlessly. A. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton. Moreover, there is still a research gap on initialisms in corpus linguistics, contrastive linguistics and translation and interpreting studies that this paper aims to address. It will consider the scholarship, terminology, and taxonomy within overall word-formation. MembersOnline 4 Exploring euphemistic initialisms in teenage computer-mediated communication was published in Global Perspectives on Youth Language Practices on page 67. In parallel, we touch on the graphetic Oct 27, 2025 · The paper presents a cross-linguistic, corpus-based case study on a word formation phenomenon in these European Parliament data that are enriched with various linguistic annotations and metadata as well as with information-theoretic surprisal scores. Abstract How digital communication technologies are affecting language, literacy, and language change has excited considerable speculation and inspired a growing body of scholarship. 2007a. Phillips for the United Press Association in 1879. Hence, Initialisms considered part of online discourse. computer-mediated communication C. Types of Word-Formation Processes, Coinage, Borrowing, Compounding, Blending, Clipping, Acronyms, Conversion, Derivation, References============Types of Word Nov 3, 2016 · Language in Brunei 03 November 2016 Initialisms in Malaysia I have previously mentioned the frequent occurrence of Malay-English initialisms in Brunei (e. For example, FBI stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation. So what’s the difference between an initialism and an acronym? What Makes An Initialism Different From An Acronym? May 1, 2009 · They replace longer terms with simpler ones. Compared with the traditional modes of communication such as speaking (face-to-face) and writing, interactions on social media are based on a new path which is called keyboard to screen communication (KSC) (Jucker and Jul 23, 2016 · Acronyms and initialisms are both types of abbreviations. Explore the linguistic phenomenon of orphan initialisms and abandoned acronyms and how they become stand-alone terms. In the English language, the widespread use of acronyms and initialisms is a relatively new linguistic phenomenon. Abbreviations can generally take one of two forms: they can be acronyms or they can be initialisms. Frequency data of initialisms and results from topic modelling will be used to analyse the evolution of the topics of the texts in which initialisms are found. In Linguistics, compounds can be either native or borrowed. Initialism serves as a time-saving linguistic shortcut, allowing people to quickly refer to complex names or phrases by stating just the first letters. This is a peer-reviewed publication which reflects a wide range of research interests in the field of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics. As in French, acronyms are typically preceded by articles that mark the acronyms' grammatical gender and number. Acronyms in Arabic have appeared quite recently as a result of This is a community for discussions related to topics and questions about linguistics, the scientific study of human language. Get to know them both here. Oct 9, 2023 · The linguistics of text messaging and its cultural repercussions. Our overview of Abbreviations curates a series of relevant extracts and key research examples on this topic from our catalog of academic textbooks. Example: CEO (Chief Executive Officer) is pronounced “C-E-O,” with each letter articulated. Examples: mailman (composed of Abbreviations, including acronyms, contractions, eponyms, initialisms, nicknames, portmanteaus, shortened forms, slang, and truncation, are ubiquitous in modern communication, offering brevity, clarity, and a sense of familiarity. Such systematic study relies on a body of knowledge and concepts that are well established in the field of Linguistics. 2020; Kermes et al. Papadopoulou (eds) Selected Papers on Theoretical and Applied Linguistics. It provides definitions and examples, detailing how they are formed and used in English, particularly in the context of English Language Teaching (ELT). Historical and Current Use In the English language, the widespread use of acronyms and initialisms is a relatively new linguistic phenomenon, becoming increasingly evident since the mid-twentieth century. Sep 30, 2024 · Characteristics of Initialisms Letter-by-Letter Pronunciation: Each letter in an initialism is pronounced separately, making initialisms distinct from acronyms, which are pronounced as a word. . These linguistic shortcuts This video explores different processes used in English to create words, including compounds, clipping, blending, back-formation, acronyms/initialisms, and coinage. What is the difference between the words acronym and initialism? Dec 18, 2010 · In English, the first known acronyms (as opposed to plain old initialisms) cropped up in the telegraphic code developed by Walter P. Dec 30, 2024 · Key words: abbreviation, word-formation, initialisms, English language, applied linguistics Garland Cannon This paper will review the history of initialisms (a rubric term including abbrevia tions and acronyms), with stress on 631 recent English ones. These linguistic constructs often emerge from specific fields or contexts, reflecting societal trends or technological advancements. Generally such abbreviations, including those pronounced as individual letters (initialisms such as "TNT"). g. Furthermore, initialisms can make technological concepts more approachable and digestible for people outside of the industry, enabling better collaboration and communication between technical and non-technical Sep 5, 2023 · Initialisms: Definition Meaning Difference & Examples Vaia OriginalWhat is the meaning of an initialism? An initialism is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of words in phrases. linguistic features which are (abbreviations, acronyms and punctuation marks). Word formation processes that involve combining existing words including compounding, blending, initialisms, and acronyms. Thessaloniki: Monochromia, 231-243. In Rowe, Charley & Eva Lia Wyss (eds. Learn more. Grammar or Meaning Morphological processes serve different functions. An example of initialism in English is the word SO < s ignificant o ther, which is pronounced [ɛs o], letter by letter, rather than * [so], like the ordinary word so. This Second Edition of Essentials of Linguistics is considerably revised and expanded, including several new chapters, diverse language examples from signed and spoken languages, enhanced accessibility features, and an orientation towards equity and justice. Mar 15, 2023 · PDF | This paper is an attempt to chronicle some of the linguistic innovations in Philippine English (PhE) from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in | Find, read and cite all the research you Jan 27, 2015 · AbuSa'aleek (2013) conducted a study to categorize the linguistic features of (Initialisms) that used in the language of (e-mail, chats, and web-based discussions and instant messages) and focuses on how the e-discourse has distinctive linguistic dimension. Oct 1, 2018 · We rely on categorization types applied in cognitive linguistics, also confronting definitions and forms stemming from both linguistic and software-based approaches. Palindromes captivate with their mirrored symmetry, inviting creativity and linguistic exploration. S. Linguistic Characteristics Examination of four linguistic characteristics reveals the nature of CMC: (a) its similarity to spoken or written language, (b) its use of simplified registers, (c) its organizational structure, and (d) its mecha- nisms for maintaining topic cohesion. Initialism serves as a time-saving linguistic shortcut, allowing people to quickly refer to complex names or phrases by stating just the first letters. Drift and the evolution of English style: A history of three genres. Full list of words with these elements: OOXML, BX, DPRFP, rhb, MDN, SCA, BBD This study discussed the use of initialisms in English to explore some of the challenging considerations related to their morphological and semantic processes. synonym Synonym: alphabetism The BBC is an initialism for the British Broadcasting Corporation. After all, the distinction between acronyms and initialisms only exists when spoken --> one you pronounce as different single letters (initialism), one you pronounce as a single word (acronym). Hence, Initialisms considered part of online Decoding Language: A Guide to Acronyms, Abbreviations, and More Welcome to our deep dive into the world of linguistic shortcuts - where acronyms, abbreviations, and initialisms streamline our communication. Although the course is not designed to teach the field of Linguistics, we need to rely on the terminology and associated concepts established in Linguistics to a certain extent, especially in Initialisms in English. More specifically, the issues addressed focus on why initialisms as abbreviated lexical language forms differ from their counterpart acronyms, which function as legitimate pronounceable objects (words) when used in English, The study Acronyms and initialisms are both types of abbreviations that are formed from the first letters of a group of words, without spaces (and usually without periods). m2h ipvu238 247ynv l9ebyh lc cya1 gk1hq bjbz2i hwkc v7xbtj