[Magdalen] TECnical question

[Roger Stokes]

On 04/05/2015 14:44, Ferdinand von Prondzynski (sms) wrote:
> Thirdly, the acronym has a vaguely annoying implication for 
> non-Americans, and maybe for Scots in particular. The US Episcopal 
> Church is not THE Episcopal Church, it is AN Episcopal Church. The 
> acronym suggests a degree of disinterest in, or a claim of superiority 
> over, wider Anglicanism.

I would another potential issue here - the fat that the phrase 
abbreviated starts with the definite article.  The acronym can be used 
as an acronym, particularly when trying to shorten something. Thus you 
might get references to "A TEC spokesperson" or "TEC bishop".  When 
expanded into its full form the first of these becomes "A The Episcopal 
Church spokesperson" with the indefinite and definite articles 
together.  The second one becomes "The Episcopal Church bishop" - the 
only bishop in that Church?

Roger, who admits he has been guilty of this error on this forum and 
will seek to do better.