This post is something of a gripe.
Question: how many times have you Googled the TLA (three-letter-acronym) the instructor/speaker/salesperson/techie just dropped into the discussion? But also made sure nobody was aware of your “ignorance”?
I think I know the answer to that.
So this post is really a plea to anyone out there with a penchant for acronyms to please consider your audience.
If it’s in writing or on-screen, please provide footnotes or a glossary of terms. If you’re speaking, explain your TLAs when they are first used (but not in a condescending way). And, as a catch-all, encourage your audience to question your use of TLAs at the start of the session, because we all have different viewpoints.
TTFN
November 22, 2012 at 8:32 am
Excellent point, Alan. Is it worth pointing out that “TTFN” is an ETLA?
glossary: ETLA – Extended Three-Letter Acronym