Every pattern that is published (truly published, like in a book, not just the internet) has to follow yarn standards so that everyone who buys or uses this pattern will be able to read it once having learned just one standard.
US Standard Crochet Abbreviations
UK and US Stitch Term Comparison
Here is my little image of how to read a pattern:
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7