An abbreviation (缩写词) can be defined as a shortened form of a
word or term. Abbreviations are an attempt to communicate
information fast and accurately. But this goal is not always achieved. To many
people, particularly to those new to a field, reports and papers sometimes seem
to be written in a telegraphic style with abbreviations so interspersed (夹杂) as
to make the message almost meaningless. Owing to the lack of a comprehensive
dictionary of abbreviations and the diverse definitions of abbreviations
among subject areas, it is common practice in most scholarly publications to
include in an appendix (目录) at the end of the book a list of the
abbreviations used. Another method is to explain the abbreviation to the
reader the first time it appears. Librarians, like everyone
else, tend to use abbreviations to save space and time and to eliminate the
necessity of repeating words or phrases that are long and complicated. In the
library and information science field, abbreviations are used primarily for
magazine and book titles, names of organizations, etc. Definition of an
abbreviation: (46) of a word or term Purpose of using
abbreviations: (47) fast and accurately Causes of
difficulties in using abbreviations: 1. lack of a comprehensive
dictionary 2. (48) of abbreviations among subject
areas Ways to introduce abbreviations: 1. To include abbreviations in
(49) at the end of the book 2. To give
explanations One kind of users of abbreviations mentioned here: (50)
.