Why say ''an SQL''
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Yikes, didn't mean to start a huge discussion. Just to add more fuel to the fire, here's a guideline I found online:
The Chicago Manual of Style (sec. 14.15, p. 464) says:
Uncertainty often arises concerning the proper choice of the indefinite article before an acronym. A workable solution may be based on the way such an abbreviation is read. The assumption is that an acronym is read either as a series of letters or as a neologism, or coined word. Rarely is the acronym read as though all of the words were spelled out. If, as is usually the case, the acronym is treated as a series of letters, the choice of the article depends on the pronunciation of the first letter. (_an_ NAACP position vs. _a_ TVA power station)
If the acronym is widely pronounced as though it were a word, the article is determined by the pronunciation of the word. (_a_ LOOM meeting vs. _an_ LCD panel)
So, it you go by Ansi standards, AN SQL. If you go by US Gov't standards, A SQL.
'The rule is that ISO Standards spell out letters and pronounce names. US Government standards pronounce everything -- thus a PSRO (Phycians Standards Review Organization) is a "Piss Row"; I am not making that up.'
or did I say that backwards?
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This is exactly right. When you say "ess-que-el", you are beginning with a vowel sound. When you say "sequel", you are beginning with a consonant sound. English language/grammer dictates (with exceptions, of course) that "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound and "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound. It's a matter of sound, not the actual letter (whether or not it's a vowel). It's similar to "herb". If you pronounce the h, then you use "a". But if you pronounce it like "erb", then you use "an" because it's a vowel sound.
I used to be an editor before I weasled my way into the IT department. ;->
But I definitely like using "sequel". I may only use "es-que-el" if I'm talking with someone who may not know what I'm talking about.
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Instead of considering it as fuel I think I'll see it as the "last word" that'll put out this fire....I agree entirely with that manual!
Brian...not to start another discussion (absolutely NOT) - but it's only in America that they say "erb" for "herb"...
Remi - you're right - come to think of it, I guess it IS easy to say - only sounds like someone's making funny sounds is all..
**ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI !!!** -
Or forgetting to say all the words
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http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/fkalis/abriefhistoryofsql.asp
I like to think it is S-Q-L
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Frank Kalis
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Webmaster: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs
My blog: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs/frankkalis/[/url] -
Addendum: Got yesterday a book by CJ Date on my desk to review. It backs up, of course, what Joe already said. Because the correct pronounciation is Ess-Cue-El you say "An SQL" rather than "A SQL".
Apart from this, if you ask me, I think it's moot.
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Frank Kalis
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Webmaster: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs
My blog: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs/frankkalis/[/url] -
Moo point often take a lot of space on this board
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Even more since you've entered...
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Frank Kalis
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Webmaster: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs
My blog: http://www.insidesql.org/blogs/frankkalis/[/url] -
I was here since the first post. I just didn't reply untill now cause I had nothing to say. We just say s-q-l here, but it's in french, therefore irrelevant to this thread.
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I can't really see arguing with someone who was/is on the ANSI comitee - I was just asking about one of those interesting things about English and uncovered some more info about SEQUEL vs. SQL, etc. Interesting...
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toe mate oh
toe mah toe
????
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I don't know, but I like eating 'em.
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And then for us multi-talented SQL and Cisco guys, you have routers. Or if you're in Canadia, "rooters." I'm never sure if I'm driving a route or a root. Which, I guess, is an argument for my "Got Root?" tshirt.
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[font="Arial"]Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information upon it. --Samuel Johnson[/font]
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