Posted: 3/17/2007 4:34:41 AM EDT
I am by no means a spelling/grammer Nazi, but I see alot of people using the article "an" before the acronym FAL. This isn't right. You don't use the article "an" in front of a consonant sound. (Hell, before researching this I thought it was "constanents" ) Example; "A UFO", because the U is pronounced "yoo". You can use it for a consonant that has a vowel sound like "an MRI" because you pronounce the M like (em-r-i). The F of FAL is a no go for the article "an"This ranks up with the use of the word "may" I may get a FAL, or I may not". Its "MIGHT" damnit! "May" is used to describe a month and to give permission. "You may shoot your FAL on May 22nd". Incoming... 
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I think we don't say "ARRR" like "ARRR matey" when we say AR-15 because of the break-up of the designator between letters and numbers. Though, guess we break up the letters on a lot of acronyms: NRA NBA IED PBA etc. Going from this I would have to say it is proper to pronounce FAL ef aye el! But you know what I'm going to do?...this is so clever too ...I'm going to say, "I have an STG58 Para! I can use "an" because the "S" is pronounced "ess"!(An evil laugh resonates and fades out) |
| As a graduate and practicing journalist, I'd like to point out that in current usage "an FAL" is quite accurate. "A FAL" doesn't sound right, so the use of "an" is appropriate. In modern grammar, what sounds right has become acceptable in these cases. My reference is the New York Times Style Book -- the standard of journalists natiionwide. |
I don't want to insult you on purpose, but you need to go back to school for a different vocation. A Fal An F. A. L. An F.N. - F.A.L. A D.S.A. Fal or a D.S.A. F.A.L. |
