Abbreviations-periods or no periods? 11

[anali87]

I found a very old thread here on the same topic, but would like to know if anything changed in the last few years.
The company I work for is developing their Drafting Standards and most likely is going to end up forcing everybody to use abbreviations with periods (T.O.S., O.C., W.P., etc.).
I didn't use periods in abbreviations for the past 10 years or so, and the drawings look so outdated (IMHO) with periods everywhere.
ASME Y14.38-2007 Abbreviations and Acronyms for Use on Drawings and Related Documents simply has this:
"Punctuation
An abbreviation spelling a whole word should include a period if the abbreviation could be misinterpreted."
Then they just list 100 or so pages of all sorts of abbreviations without periods or spaces.

 

[IRstuff]

Sure, look at your own post. ASME is an abbreviation, as is IMHO. That should answer your question.

Or, look at ASME Y14.4M, which is littered with abbreviations with no periods in sight, and this is the 1989 edition.

TTFN
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[hokie66]

I suppose the ASME recommendation means something like using FOUND. for foundation. I don't know why you would use an abbreviation like that, but if you didn't use the period, it could be misinterpreted. There is certainly no reason for periods in TOS, OC, WP, etc, but these acronyms (not abbreviations) should be defined in the documents to prevent misinterpretation.

 

[BUGGAR]

I was taught that however you show it in your list of abbreviations, then that's how it should appear throughout the documents. I've seen some unusual abbreviations but the lawyers say that if that's what you say it is, then that's what it is per the contract.

"If thou sayeth the sky is green, my Lord, then the sky is green" E. Taylor, "Taming of the Shrew".

 

[wannabeSE]

If the drawings are for buildings, consider coordinating the company standards with the National CAD Standards

http://www.nationalcadstandard.org/ncs6/index.php.

I don't know if this standard states "do not punctuate abbreviations." But, their abbreviation list does not use them.

 

[anali87]

Thank you all!
I wonder if there is a clear stating anywhere in ASME Standards on what is the recommended way to go.
I found it in the Military Standards MIL-STD-12D (1981) and they sure suggest NOT to use punctuations.

 

[concretemasonry]

Somehow, the identification of ASME was never revealed and whether they have other authority to say what "should" be used and not "required". - It is actually suggestion and not required or a standard of practice.

It seems like grabbing some reference could lead to problems if other professionals, customers, suppliers and contractors cannot relate to an older reference.

Can you imagine the confusion and costs involved when ASTM (or is to A.S.T.M.?.) had to renumber all 100,000 or so standards, methods and requirements. It becomes very costly for a firm or professional to convert their reference to perform effectively.

Right now, just changing a couple of words in a ASTM (A.S.T.M.) standard takes about two years if the proposer is familiar with the requirements and procedures.

I think ASME (A.S.M.E. ?) is probably an acronym and not a abbreviation (a.b.r.).

A cute subject to bring up.

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[CarlB]

Actually ASME is an initialism, not an acronym. Or it might be, if you pronounce it "as-mee".

http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/abbreviations/abbreviations-acronyms-and-initialisms-revisited/

 

[hokie66]

I learn something every day. Can't say that I had heard of the word 'initialism', but according to this source, the definitions are still evolving. This English language is tough.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/05/the-difference-between-an-acronym-and-an-initialism/

 

[KootK]

I find that the periods reduce clarity by making it more difficult to discern where sentences end.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[PSEPK]

In case of research papers, standard practice adopted by ACI, ASCE and most of others, is to define a an abbreviation for a long word to be use again and again, at the first occurrence of the term. later on, only abbreviation is used. Now this abbreviation may be either applicable to that particular research paper only, or to all the papers or research relevant to same material. Moreover, the abbreviations used may have totally different definition, from those used outside that particular paper or study report.

The point is that these abbreviations are 'without' period. For example, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), powder-actuated fastened (PAF), cement kiln dust (CKD) etc. Similarly, the abbreviations used for organization names are invariably all WITHOUT period. (e.g., AASHTO, AISC, AISI, API etc., besides those mentioned above.)

In case of standards and codes however the abbreviations used may be given either at the start of each chapter, or at the beginning of the document itself. These definitions may include both the internationally recognized abbreviations, and the ones specific to that standard or code only.

A good structural engineer is often a blessing for others.

 

[BUGGAR]

KootK, agreed. Seems like a minor thing but it is not.

 

[anali87]

KootK, I didn't even think about THAT, but you are right....specially in the case of notes on the drawings.
So, saving space, time, gaining clarity....... should make reasonable people to see which way to go, right?
That is if you happen to work with REASONABLE people...

 

[KootK]

Surely, given all of this overwhelming and logical support for not having periods, you can convince you overlords to see the light?

It's a minor thing but the periods even bother me aesthetically. I hate that my business cards say B.Eng., M.Eng. Ph.D., P.Eng., M.B.A., D.D.S, L.L.B. BEng, MEng, PhD, PEng, MBA, DDS, LLB seems so much cleaner and compact. But then, what do I know? My professional association actually regulates this.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[dhengr]

Talk about periods and no periods.
How do you punctuate fun fun fun worry worry worry?
Fun period, fun period, fun no period, worry worry worry period.

 

[anali87]

dhenqr
But going back to my problem...there is NO fun at workplace anymore.....I'll have endless flow of periods........and I worry!

 

[msquared48]

I'll refrain from commenting on that last statement. Period.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[anali87]

But going back to my problem...there is no FUN (I don't like the situation I am in) at workplace anymore.....I'll have endless flow of PERIODS (punctuations)........and I WORRY (I think I'll have to comply)!
I am glad we all having FUN with that!.............

 

[dcarr82775]

At least I understand what a period does. Commas have always, and shall always remain a mystery to me.

 

[Denial]

As is made; clear by your post .

An editor friend once explained the importance of commas to me by asking me to compare the two sentences:
"Let's eat, Grandma."
and
"Let's eat Grandma."