Acronyms and initialisms often present unique challenges when translating certain types of documents. Should they be translated? Should they remain as they are? And what’s the best way to approach them? Let’s dive in.
First Things First – What is an acronym? And what is an initialism?
An acronym is a word created by combining the initial letter or syllable of each word in a phrase, forming a new word – for example, NASA, scuba, or UNICEF.
An initialism, on the other hand, is an abbreviation formed from the initial letters, each of which is pronounced separately, like HIV, FBI, BBC, or DNA.
Why Acronyms and Initialisms Can Be Tricky in Translation
One of the most common challenges is space and character limits. A document filled with acronyms or initialisms may require more space in the target text if acronyms must be spelled out or paraphrased for an audience unfamiliar with the subject matter. That’s why it’s important to ensure the source text allows enough space for expanded versions.
Key Insights: Acronyms in Spanish
Here are some highlights that every translator should keep in mind:
1. Initialisms in Spanish are written without periods: OMS instead of O. M. S., while abbreviations are written with periods: núm., Dr., or pág.
2. Plural forms of acronyms in Spanish The plural of acronyms is not marked graphically with an s in Spanish, although in spoken language, the plural is pronounced with an added s sound. In the case of “ONG,” the written plural is las ONG, not las ONGs or las ONG’s.
3. Uppercase and accents in acronyms Acronyms in Spanish are written in uppercase letters and without accents. The exception: acronyms that are proper names with five or more letters, which may use only an initial capital letter and follow normal accent rules: Fonasa, Unesco, Conade, Fundéu.
4. Foreign acronyms and translation criteria According to the Diccionario panhispánico de dudas, the general recommendation is to translate foreign acronyms. However, it’s preferable to keep them in English when:
- The acronym is already well established in the target language (e.g., FIFA).
- It refers to a brand or commercial name (e.g., LG, IBM).
- The translation would create unnecessary difficulties.
In these cases, acronyms and initialisms remain in their original form, written in roman type (not italics or quotation marks): «El futuro del USB sigue siendo prometedor».
The Spanish Royal Academy (RAE) also advises against translating acronyms and initialisms that refer exclusively to a foreign context, such as CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) or FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
That said, in informative texts, it is often best to translate international acronyms and initialisms when there is an established equivalent:
- EU (European Union) becomes UE (Unión Europea),
- WHO (World Health Organization) becomes OMS (Organización Mundial de la Salud), and
- UNO (United Nations Organization) becomes ONU (Organización de las Naciones Unidas).
When introducing an acronym that is not widely known, it’s advisable to spell it out the first time, along with its translation or equivalence: EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, Agencia de Protección Ambiental), or write the full name first, followed by the acronym: Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA).
Strategies for Translators
Depending on the audience and the context, translators may:
- Use the acronym alone with no translation.
- Use the acronym followed by its full form in brackets: la OMS (Organización Mundial de la Salud).
- Write the full name first, followed by the acronym in brackets: Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS).
- When the English acronym is widely used but not the Spanish one, write the expanded form in Spanish, followed by the English expanded form and acronym: la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (Food and Drug Administration, FDA).
Audience Matters
Another key factor in deciding how to handle acronyms is the target audience.
If your text is aimed at readers well-versed in the subject matter, acronyms may not require explanation. If the content is medical material for doctors and specialists, they are likely already familiar with the acronyms. But what if it’s a brochure for a patient with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)? In that case, every acronym should be spelled out and explained to ensure accessibility.
At the end of the day, the client has the final say. If the client provides guidelines or preferences, the Language Service Provider (LSP) should follow them consistently.
Wrapping Up
Acronyms and initialisms may look small on the page, but they carry big implications in translation. They affect readability, accessibility, and the effectiveness of the message.
If you need to bridge the language divide and connect with a broader audience, contact us at info@a-zworld.ca or visit www.a-zworld.ca the AZ World team will be happy to assist you.