Linguistic Abbreviation: Forms and Motivations

Abbreviation in General

Ellipsis is a historical abbreviation of a particular, more or less stereotypical morpheme. This abbreviation is direct, conscious, and intentional, broadly driven by functional and economic motives. Sometimes, functional and economic motives converge.

Abbreviation, especially those formed by initials (often called “acronyms”), constitutes one of the most striking features of today's language. In an era characterized by constant technological changes and an influx of organizations of various kinds, the phenomenon of abbreviation provides an easy way to meet terminological needs.

Three Phenomena of Abbreviation

• Clippings
• Blends
• Acronyms

Historical Abbreviation: Three Major Types

1. Ellipsis of Compound Words
2. Ellipsis of Sentences
3. Abbreviation of Simple Words (Clippings)

Ellipsis of Compound Words

When we say, for example, “public” for “public house,” we understand the word. The English word pub comes from public house. While public house might translate to la casa pública or la casa de cita in Spanish, the English pub does not carry those specific connotations.

The word “traveller” comes from “commercial traveller.” In Spanish, viajante comes from viajante comercial, illustrating a similar pattern where the shorter form is preferred. Both “commercial traveller” and “traveller” exemplify an ellipsis of a compound word.

Ellipsis of Sentences

• When you say “morning,” it is an ellipsis of phrases like “good morning” or “have a good morning.”
• When someone says “See?” it is an ellipsis of “Do you understand?”
• The phrase “Good bye” is an ellipsis of “God be with you.”

Abbreviation of Simple Words

For example, “Lab” from “laboratory.”

Origin of Abbreviations: Written vs. Spoken Language

Some clippings, abbreviations, ellipses, and acronyms originate in both written and spoken language.

In Written Language

• Gent from “gentleman”
• Ad or advert from “advertisement”
• Small ads or ads from anuncios breves (brief advertisements)

In Spoken Language

The word “bus” comes from “omnibus,” which originally meant “vehicle for all.”

Interestingly, in Spanish, the word “bus” first appeared in written form (e.g., at a bus stop) before it was commonly spoken. In English, the development was the reverse.

Reasons for Abbreviation

• Economic: Examples include “lab,” “bus”
• Functional: Examples include “granny,” “cabbie”/“cabby”

When we discuss clippings and their economic motivations, we consider the practical nature of the Anglo-Saxon mindset. Such a method of word formation is primarily a method favored by the practically-minded. English speakers are very practical. Similarly, clippings are a result of the tendency to abbreviate, to be practical. Monosyllabism is a natural result of this tendency, which explains the prevalence of monosyllables in English. Examples include “vet” from “veterinary” and “lab” from “laboratory.”