„Elektrische Datenverarbeitung (EDV)“? Motiviertheit und (Fehl-)Interpretation sprachlicher Kurzformen
„Electric data processing (EDP)“? Motivation and (Incorrect) Interpretation of Linguistic Short Forms

Summary/Abstract: The confusion of „Elektronischer Datenverarbeitung“ and „Elektrischer Datenverarbeitung“ (Englisch: „Electronic data processing“ and „Electric data processing“ EDP) as correct and incorrect full forms oft the initial word EDV is the starting point for an investigation of the motivation and interpretation of several other initial words used in German language. Frequently the context prevents misinterpretation, but especially semantically demotivated short forms, which have not clear components cause misunderstanding. The obscurity can also allow multible use with different meanings like PS for „Pferdestärke“ and PS for „Post-skriptum“. Likewise homonymy of morphologically and semantically not related words can arise like VV as „Vollversammlung“, „Verkehrsverein“ and „Verwaltungsvorschrift“. The aptitude of different interpretations can go so far that short forms are used as well as homonymous and polysemous words. For example AA designates „Auswärtiges Amt“ in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the German federal government, also each „Arbeitsamt“ and support groups for „Anonyme Alkoholiker“. In place of context making clear what is meant sometimes the full form accompanies the short form. Apparently this is not felt as an unnecessary redundancy: „Ich war als Schüler in der Schülervertretung (SV) tätig“ (Frankfurter Rundschau, 17.11.1999, S. 29). Sometimes thr full form added to the initial word as an explanation is modified, not by ignorance or error but intentionally, whereas the iniotial word remains unmodified. Since the German „Bundeswehr“ was established in 1955 there is a department „Psychologische Kriegsführung (PSK)“ (Rhein-Zeitung, 24.9.2019, S. 19). Someday people realized that they didn’t like to think about “Kriegsführung“ (warfare) connected with the Bundeswehr, if need be about „Kampfhandlungen“ (combat operations). So PSK was renamed: „die Bundeswehrschule für Psychologische Kampfführung (PSK)“ (Die Zeit, 9.2.1968, S. 28). If you once have found pleasure in renaming initial words you can use this procedure for a joke by interpreting normal lexemes as initial words and giving them cute meanings: Ehe = Errare humanum est (Latin) ‚Irren ist menschlich‘. – Team = Toll, ein anderer macht’s.

• Details
• Contents