Transcript acronym - Amazon Web Services

Lost in Translation
The Language of Research
Administration
Jeremy Forsberg
Assistant VP for Research
UTA (UT Arlington)
Lisa Mosley
Executive Director
ASU (Arizona State University)
Communication
One of the most fundamental elements of communication is a
shared understanding between parties.
What helps facilitate shared understanding:
• Context
– Verbal
– Non-Verbal
• Environment
• Knowledge
Context and Environment
Context and Environment
Communication
Definition: An acronym is an abbreviation formed from the initial
components in a phrase or a word. These components may be
individual letters or parts of words. There is no universal agreement
on the precise definition of various names for such abbreviations nor
on written usage.
In English and most other languages, such abbreviations historically
had limited use, but they became much more common in the 20th
century. Acronyms are a type of word formation process, and they are
viewed as a subtype of blending.
--source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acronym)
Communication
How can acronyms complicate communication ?
• Your supervisor comes in jumping up and
down, and obviously very angry, asking for the
status of the FFSRs for NIH
• Your supervisor comes in very cheerful,
reminds you of happy hour today and casually
asks you the status of the FFSRs for NIH
Regardless of your level of communication skills,
do you know the status of the FFSRs for NIH
ProjID#R01-1234-ABC?
Acronyms add no value to the communication
except to allow the speaker to communicate
more quickly.
Mind the Knowledge Gap
Americans Against
Awful Acronym Abuse
– AAAAA is currently
rallying support and
raising awareness
across the country on
the issue of rampant
acronyms
From Behavior to
Language
Where do they come from and how are they
defined?
• By the Originator: Government/sponsoring
agency
• By the Pragmatist: Professional slang
• By the Collective: Pop culture
Brand Recognition
Quickly To the Point
Translation and Meaning
Writing Tip for Acronyms
•
Acronyms are often used for legal Agreements
– Created and defined by the agreement itself.
•
•
E.g.: The Final Financial Report (FFR) is due 30 days after the COD.
Many acronyms still require articles (i.e., "a," "an," or "the"). Let's use the “New
World Order” (NWO)
– Incorrect: NWO has emerged in the 21st century.
– Correct: An NWO has emerged in the 21st century.
•
Remember that NWO stands for a noun "New World Order," and nouns require
articles before them.
– If confused about whether to use "a" or "an" in front of an acronym that begins with a
consonant, speak the acronym out loud. If the first letter of the acronym makes a vowel sound
(regardless of whether or not the first letter is actually a vowel), use "an." The acronym
"NWO" is a perfect example. While "N" is a consonant, it makes the short e sound (i.e., a
vowel sound) when you say it.
Translation Tips
• When decoding a message:
– Consider the environment
• Non-verbal/written cues
– Breakdown and critique written statements
• Is it an acronym or a definition. There is a “-” perhaps a subclass or extension
(DHHS-NIH)
– Look it up (not much different than pulling up a FAR clause by number)
– Classify in groups. Break it down from higher vantage point
• Ex: Is the communication from a person in Grant Accounting vs. Pre-Award?
– Use your own language to confirm the communication
Ex. Translated Context
You receive an email from NIH-NIGMS requesting
JIT for PI: Arnold Layne that must be submitted by
COB tomorrow.
As part of the JIT, you need to provide current
Other Support data for PI and all Key Personnel as
well as IACUC approval confirmation.
Ex. Translated Context
One of the key personnel is Penny Layne – you
wonder if this is a possible COI??
A few weeks later….
You receive via email the NOA from NIH-NIGMS.
You begin the NOA review so the account can be set
up.
Ex. Translated Context
A few highlights from the NOA:
• Award is pursuant to the authority of 42 USC
241 42 CFR 52
• DC has been reduced by 10%
• F&A has been calculated incorrectly
• Reporting via eSNAP is required
Ex. Translated Context
A few months later…
You receive an email from the PI requesting an NDA be
issued to a colleague at the WHO and a request to
rebudget funds to cover cost of a consultant and possibly
an MOU for additional work.
Because you are familiar with the project, you inquire if
they need an MTA as well.
Ex. Translated Context
6 months later…
A subward needs to be issued to WHO
• Are they registered in SAM?
• Does WHO have a compliant COI policy
• Is FFATA reporting required?
Ex. Translated Context
Almost a year later…
You’re working on preparing the FSR so CM can submit a
request in PMS. During your review you catch some CAS
exceptions that have been charged directly to the project
but that weren’t originally included in the DC budget.
Do these charges violate A-21, A-110, A-133 or all 3?
You inquire with the department to verify costs – no one
wants a visit from the IG.
Ex. Translated Context
Two years later……
The FFSR is submitted along with the patent disclosure
report received from the IP/TT office.
Arnold Layne sends you an email thanking you for your
excellent service to his project and asks you to help
prepare his application in response to a BAA issued by
AFOSR that requires successful applicants to be on the
GSA schedule and be able to accept all Ts&Cs related to
the IDIQ.
You happily forward the message to the PAT
TTFN!
Jeremy Forsberg – [email protected]
Lisa Mosley – [email protected]