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RAS syndrome

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RAS syndrome stands for redundant acronym syndrome syndrome and refers to the redundant use of one or more of the words that make up an acronym or initialism with the abbreviation itself, thus in effect repeating one or more words. Usage commentators consider such redundant acronyms poor style and an error to be avoided in writing, though they are common in speech.[1]

The term "RAS syndrome" is itself a redundant acronym,[2][3] and thus is an example of self-referential humor.

Origin

The term "RAS syndrome" was coined in 2001 by the New Scientist magazine.[3][4]

The similar term "PNS syndrome" (which expands to "PIN number syndrome syndrome," and further to "personal identification number number syndrome syndrome") was coined by Usenet users,[5] and in fact pre-dates the coining of "RAS Syndrome".[6]

Examples

Other nonce coinages continue to arise. The terms themselves are occasionally referred to as "RAP phrases" ("redundant acronym phrases phrases").[7] Select examples of RAP phrases include:

  • ATM machine (automated teller machine machine)[8]
  • CSS style sheets (cascading style sheets style sheets)[9]
  • HIV virus (human immunodeficiency virus virus)
  • ISBN number (international standard book number number)
  • PIN number (personal identification number number)[10]
  • UPC code (Universal Product Code code)

Reasons for use

There are several linguistic explanations for the prevalence of RAS syndrome:

  • A limited amount of redundancy can improve (or seem to the speaker to improve) the effectiveness of communication (the pure-logic ideal of zero redundancy is seldom maintained in human languages). A phonetic example of that principle is the need for spelling alphabets in radiotelephony. Some instances of RAS syndrome can be viewed as syntactic examples of the principle. The speaker wishes to gently reinforce the meaning of an acronym or initialism, especially in pedagogical contexts (whether formal or informal). In such cases, the redundancy may help the listener by providing context and decreasing the 'alphabet-soup' quality of the communication.[citation needed]
  • Acronyms and initialisms from foreign languages are often treated as unanalyzed nouns when they are not translated. For example, in French, "le protocole IP" (the Internet protocol protocol) is often used, while in English "please RSVP" (roughly "please respond please") provides a redundant example of a French initialism.[1][11]
  • The principle of not analyzing also applies within one language. For example, people who work regularly with the term AC (referring to alternating current) experience some degree of treating the word both in sound (/eɪsiː/) and in appearance as an unanalyzed lexeme. They do not forget what its expanded form is, but neither do their brains shift to the expanded form without a cue. Thus the redundancy in phrases such as "ATM machine" can be likened to that in "pine tree", "red in color", or "pizza pie". It is a degree of redundancy born of treating objects (in the abstract philosophical or computing senses of that word) as black boxes to be strung together, which is a natural aspect of human cognition.[citation needed]

Less applicable examples

Sometimes the presence of repeated words does not create a redundant phrase. For example, a "redundant RAID (redundant array of inexpensive/independent disks)" may in fact be a backup RAID in the system being described, "laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) light" is light produced by a light amplification process, and "SMS (short message/silent messaging service) message" is a message transmitted by a message service. In general, when the repeated word is used as a different part of speech, RAS syndrome does not apply.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Garner, Bryan A. (2000) The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
  2. ^ Clothier, Gary. (8 November 2006) "Ask Mr. Know-It-All." The York Dispatch.
  3. ^ a b Newman, Stanley (December 20, 2008). "Sushi by any other name", Windsor Star, p. G4.
  4. ^ "Feedback" (fee required). No. 2285. New Scientist. 2001-04-07. p. 108. Retrieved 2006-12-08.
  5. ^ RAS syndrome newsgroup on Usenet (alternative free web access using Google Groups)
  6. ^ "uk.games.video.dreamcast - uk.net.news.config | Google Groups". Groups.google.com. 1999-08-20. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  7. ^ Redundant Acronym Phrases – a collection of common examples of such phrases.
  8. ^ Singh, S.K. Bank Regulations Delhi: Discovery Publishing House. ISBN 818356447X
  9. ^ "Feedback: Redundant Acronym" New Scientist 2509, 23 July 2005.
  10. ^ "Sick of acronyms?" Electronics Weekly, 25 April 2001.
  11. ^ "LINGUIST List 4.532: Last Posting: Acronyms". Linguistlist.org. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
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