3. Abbreviations, acronyms, shortenings, blends (hybrids)

Abbreviations (graphic shortenings) are made of

1. . Initial letters

FM (frequency modulation), CRT (cathode ray tube), ADC (analog-to-digital converter), e.m.f., IT, Al, IС, SQL.

Some abbreviated words are called acronyms, they are read and used as regular words:

UNESCO, NATO, AIDS, PLUTO (pipeline under the ocean), DoD (department of defense), UFO.

(IT) ROM, LAN, Ernie (electronic random number indicating equipment), CAD, CAM, DVD, GUI.

(EM) EMF, EMC, FB (fdbk), G, VR, ZF.

2. . Syllables

LORAN (long range navigation), cermet, Compass (computer assurance), sitcom, compander, heliport, stagflation, bit (binary unit), transistor, modem.

Such terms/words are created by agglutination. They are called blends or hybrids.

3.3. Letters+words

H-bomb, Y-coordinate, C-span, e-mail, X-rated, CD-player, D-ration, A-D converter, x-y plotter, D-wave, a-life, R-wire, H-visa.

3.4. Letters and figures

C-134 (cargo plane), 1-94 card, G7.

3.5. 3-letter domain suffixes

.com (commerce), .пот (individuals), .edu (education), .net, .mil, .gov (government).

3.6. Curtailed words/shortenings

Prop(ellor), op(us), pro(fessional), vet, photo, kilo, metro, spec, perm, deli, info, fab, doc, flu, decaf, recap, celeb, shute.

There is always a tendency to grind down a technical term to indispensable nucleus. Suppose the head of a lab asks, "Have you investigated the solid state monolithic integrated circuits?" The engineer answers, "We have subjected 20 solid state monolithic integrated circuits to life tests". One can predict that with time the term will be abridged first to monolithic integrated circuit and then to integrated circuit, 1С or circuit (the latter is ambiguous). Then comes a genius and calls the whole thing chip and it becomes the "assumed" technical term.

This also happens to shop terms, e.g. a commutator of the d.c. motor needs repairs, which consist of turning, grinding, polishing, undercutting mica, cleaning. To name all operations each time is impossible, so they were put together and named in one word facelifting.

4. False cognates

Physician, fabric, scenario, candidate, turnkey, etc.

Compile your glossary of False Cognates/False Friends of Translator.

5. Exercises

5.1. Isencop: tasks 4-14 pp. 92-106 (to the teacher's choice).

5.2. The presentation assignment

Explain a technical term. Select a term that you might actually need to explain. Find an example to clarify your explanation. Use visual aids. Use familiar to explain something unfamiliar.

Fission and fusion, real image and virtual image, elastic and plastic, anode and cathode, a and /3 decay, matter and vacuum, local length and focal plane, absolute error and relative error.

Fission – the spontaneous or induced disintegration of the nucleus of a heavy atom into 2 lighter atoms. The process involves a loss of mass which is converted into nuclear energy.

Fusion – the process of forming atoms of new elements by the fusion of atoms of lighter ones. Usually the formation of helium by the fusion of H and its isotopes. The process involves a loss of mass which is converted into nuclear energy.