viz.

Sometimes in academic research papers and theses written in Thai English, Latin abbreviations are used by writers who are trying to be impressive. Unfortunately, these Latin abbreviations are often used in the wrong way, or in places where the writer appears to lack full knowledge of when they would be appropriate. The reason that some writers of Thai English include these abbreviations in their research writings is that they have seen them in publications in their field, and think that they look serious and elegant. While making a good impression is important in any field of writing, it is very risky to try to use terms requiring a basic understanding of Latin words, unless the writer’s written English is already excellent. If the writer of Thai English insists on using an abbreviation such as viz., then it is best to have a full idea of what it means and when it is appropriate. Viz. is another way of writing the word namely or the words that is to say or as follows. Why not just writr namely or the words that is to say or as follows? Why must we write and know about viz.? Writing namely or the words that is to say or as follows would be the easier, more sensible choice. Writing namely or the words that is to say or as follows is clearer and more direct and better writing style than throwing in Latin abbreviations to impress readers. So why do some writers of Thai English bother with it at all? Most writers really do not need to use any complex terms when multiple alternatives are simpler. Writers of theses and serious academic research may find it hard to believe, but the best academic writing is the simplest. It explains what is meant with the least formal and difficult terminology possible. Yet some writers like the abbreviation viz. so much that they insist on using it. They should know that viz. is an abbreviation of a Latin term meaning it is permitted to see. Viz. offers a list that should inform the reader as fully as possible. A good example of the use of the abbreviation viz. would be as follows:

Aunt Benjakalyani had four devoted daughters, viz.: Boribun, Chaem Choi, Chai Charoen, and Chaloem Chai.

Note that the comma should be placed before the abbreviation viz., and a colon should follow, to inform the reader that a list with more information will follow, adding data to what has already been said. The writer has informed us that Aunt Benjakalyani has four daughters. The abbreviation viz. has been used to introduce complete information about something. There are many other ways to give the reader the same information without using the abbreviation viz. For example:

Aunt Benjakalyani had four devoted daughters, namely Boribun, Chaem Choi, Chai Charoen, and Chaloem Chai.

or

Aunt Benjakalyani had four devoted daughters: Boribun, Chaem Choi, Chai Charoen, and Chaloem Chai.

or

Aunt Benjakalyani had four devoted daughters, whom she named Boribun, Chaem Choi, Chai Charoen, and Chaloem Chai.

or

The four devoted daughters of Aunt Benjakalyani were named Boribun, Chaem Choi, Chai Charoen, and Chaloem Chai.

When writing English, it can be useful to take a moment to consider whether what we have written is simple and clear. If there is an easier way to write the same thing, it is usually better. If we are cofnused by our own writing, it is likely that readers will be. Writers who are determined to use the abbreviation viz. should also know how to pronounce it. If we are reading a presentation in class or at an academic conference, we may be required to say abbreviations out loud. That is another reason why it is better to stick to English language terms, because we are more familiar with the way they sound. Very few writers of Thai English are comfortable speaking Latin. When spoken aloud, the term viz. can sound like vizz. Or the speaker may decide to say instead of viz., although it is written on the page, a term more easily recognizable and understandable, such as namely or the words that is to say or as follows. The fact that these words are used when speaking aloud is another indication that they are simpler and clearer than any Latin abbreviation. As another complication, viz. is sometimes confused with other foreign language terms, as in the following, seen in the Thai English language press:

Singapore has consistently [striven] to ensure that our financial centre is able to offer a full suite of financial products and services, and this must include the [yuan]. For us, this is not about an all-out race to be the dominant [yuan] financial centre, nor is it about one-upmanship viz-a-viz other competitors.

The speaker or journalist has confused the abbreviation viz. with another expression, vis-à-vis. Originating in a French phrase meaning face to face with or opposite to or compared with or in relation to, the term vis-à-vis has nothing to do with the Latin abbreviation viz. It does not even sound like it when pronounced correctly. The term vis-à-vis, when spoken aloud, should sound like vee-zah-vee, and not vizz. As we see, the more foreign language terms and abbreviations we use when writing academic English for research papers and theses, the more unexpected errors may occur. To prevent these from happening, it is best to avoid the situation entirely by not using foreign language terms if possible. Sometimes they may be unavoidable, but including them when they are not necessary is like asking for trouble. Here is another example of the correct usage of the abbreviation viz. for those who are still not convinced:

Thammasat University has an official and unofficial motto, viz.: “Be the finest, be fair, be the main engine of the society” and “I love Thammasat because Thammasat teaches me to love people.”

The sentence above can be rewritten to offer the same information without using the abbreviation viz.:

Thammasat University has an official and unofficial motto, namely “Be the finest, be fair, be the main engine of the society” and “I love Thammasat because Thammasat teaches me to love people.”

or

Thammasat University has an official motto, “Be the finest, be fair, be the main engine of the society” and an unofficial one, “I love Thammasat because Thammasat teaches me to love people.”

or

The two mottos of Thammasat University, official and unofficial respectively, are “Be the finest, be fair, be the main engine of the society” and “I love Thammasat because Thammasat teaches me to love people.”

(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)