Does this proliferation of acronyms in our culture simplify communication or complicate it? Acronyms are words formed from the first letter of each word in a title. For example, ODA meaning the Ohio Department of Agriculture or the Ohio Department of Aging (depending on who you're talking to). The other day, I was having a great conversation with a new colleague and learning more about her fantastic web marketing strategies for the wedding industry. At one point in the conversation -- instead of focusing on what she was saying -- I got hung up thinking about if SEO meant "search engine optimization" or something else. That communication disconnect got me thinking that acronyms more often complicate communication more than they help. Here's why:

• It takes an extra step of translation for the receiver to know what the acronym actually means.
• Many "acronymed" organizations can't be found on the web or in the white pages or yellow pages by their acronym - you still have to know the full title.
• Unless the acronym actually comes to replace the full proper title , there is confusion about how to refer to an organization or program.
• It's arrogant to assume that everyone knows what your acronym means, yet it's condescending to spell out an acronym for someone "in the know" - You can't win!
• We have inadvertently created pockets of dialogue based on industry and niches in this country. Unless you know the language of the military, government or academia, it's difficult to get by in those professions. And, it does a disservice to the people working in those professions when they have to go out and work in another industry because it doesn't translate well to other sectors of professional society.
• If we begin to write like we text, that could be disastrous to the communication profession... not to mention the English language! Nearly everything in texting is reduced to an acronym. I like to text, but I also understand that abbreviated language has its place in a specific media. You still have to know your audience and the vehicle of transmission.

Please get the acronyms out of your writing, marketing and speaking. My mind can only process so much!