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Re: WCAG 2 draft and abbreviations

for

From: Keith Parks
Date: Jun 5, 2007 11:30AM

On Jun 5, 2007, at 9:50 AM, Jukka K. Korpela wrote:

> On Tue, 5 Jun 2007, Alastair Campbell wrote:
>
>> Given that the user requirement is for adding explanatory text,
>
> Which user requirement? People may need explanations for various
> things -
> like uncommon words, odd symbols, strange formulations, difficult
> points,
> and even abbreviations.

But isn't it less a question of the *user* needing additional markup,
but rather the *machines*, specifically speech synthesizers, needing
additional information?

For instance, a reader ought to be able to tell, through experience
and context, that the "US" in US Olympic Team is an abbreviation, to
be pronounced "you ess". But how does the speech synthesizer know
this? Do they have that level of logic and interpretation built into
them?

It would seem like a structural tag saying that "These letters are
not an ordinary word, but are to be pronounced as initials" would be
helpful, outside of any explanation of what they stand for, which I
agree ought to be part of regular flow of text, as is typical when
following proper writing style.

-Keith

******************************
Keith Parks
Graphic Designer/Web Designer
Student Affairs Communications Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7444

(619) 594-1046

mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED>
http://www.keithparks.com
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/communications
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