The Language Council at Umeå University has previously recommended the abbreviation Umu, but this has now been changed to UMU. By using the same abbreviation across the University, we contribute to consistency and recognition in our communication.
Why UMU?
According to Swedish language rules, abbreviations that are pronounced letter by letter are to be written with capital letters, such as UMU, while abbreviations of names read out as a word end in lower-case letters, Umu.
When investigating how staff pronounce the abbreviation, it turns out both pronunciations are in frequent use, which means both abbreviation models could be valid.
In English, however, the most correct spelling of this abbreviation is UMU using capital letters. Since a shared abbreviation between both Swedish and English is desirable, the Language Council has chosen to recommend UMU for both languages.
The relatively common use of UmU has no support in neither the Swedish nor English language.
When should Umeå University be abbreviated?
There is nearly always enough room for the full name. For readability, the name should not be abbreviated in our formal texts or on our websites. For the sake of variation in a text, using the University in English or universitetet in Swedish is perfectly fine. In social media or in other texts where the number of characters is limited, or in contexts where Umeå University is compared with other universities, an abbreviation may be useful. In those cases, UMU is recommended.
Read more about the University's name and other writing tips in the English style guide or Swedish style guide for Umeå University specifically.
What is the Language Council?
The Language Council is an advisory body at Umeå University with representation from all faculties, the University Management, Umeå University Library, the University Administration, doctoral students and students. The Council is tasked with providing advice on language issues of importance to the University such as the name of titles, programmes, organisational units, signposting and premises. The Council also drafts proposals to the Vice-Chancellor to promote language quality at the University. Beside the style guides, the Council has also, among other things, produced a Language Policy for Umeå University and revised the English titles presented in the List of titles.
Do you have any questions?
Contact Anna Lawrence, coordinator of the Language Council and translator at the Communications Office