MORE ABOUT DEFINITION AND

METHODS

1. Definition(s)

• terminology – classes of objects and their designation (pl. terminologies)

• terminography – the gathering, storage and dissemination of information on terms.

Alain Ray (“Terminologies and terminographies” in La banque des mots, 1975)

• terminotics (terminology + informatics)– computer-assisted terminography (in electronic format)

Our approach

• Terminology – science studying the structure, formation, development, usage and management of terminologies in various subject fields.

(Herbert Picht – Introduction to Terminology Theory, TSS, Vienna 2008)

More about terminology as science

T. is an interdisciplinary science whose sphere of activities is,

- on the one hand, the investigation into the object, the concept, their representational forms and the relations between them, and

- on the other hand, the investigation into their systematic representation in terminographical products and their application within a wide range of fields of knowledge.

Without terminology……no professional communication;

Without professional communication……NO knowledge transfer

Without knowledge transfer……NEITHER

- intellectual or material development- teaching and trainingNOR- professional research

which, in the long run, leads to non-development and isolation

2. Work Methods

• There are four basic methods used in terminological work:1.      term identification;2.      contextual analysis;3.      term creation; and4. term standardisation.

2.1.Steps in Terminology Work

<-------------------------------------------->Situational terminology Standardization

Term identification Contextual analysis Term creation

Term standardization

2.1.1. Term identification - 1

When reading a specialised text or studying a real-life situation, the terminologist must be able to identify the terms specific to the subject field. This requires:

• an excellent command of the general language (LGP) and

• a knowledge of the particular subject field ( LSP)

2.1.1. Term identification - 2

Pinpoint the specialised terms and record them by subfield.

There are:• simple terms,• complex terms &• phrases.

2.1.1. Term identification - 3

Questions:- Select terms? On what criteria?- How differentiate words from terms? (e.g.

mouse, garbage)- When does a general-language word

become a term?- In the case of complex words and phrases

– where does a particular term begin and end?

2.1.1. Term identification - 4

SIMPLE TERMS = one-word units which can be different parts of speech; each represents a single concept in a subject field. E.g., simple terms in office automation: architecture (n.), interconnection (n.), to query (v.), interactive (adj.)

2.1.1. Term identification - 5

COMPLEX TERMS = made up of two or more words; also represent a single concept in a given field and can be different parts of speech. E.g., complex terms in office automation:

• desktop publishing, • computer-aided design, • integrated services digital network, • double-sided double-density diskette, • to fine tune, • user-friendly.

2.1.1. Term identification - 6

TERMINOLOGICAL PHRASES = turns of phrase characteristically used in a special field. E.g., in office automation:

• to automate office procedures (verbal),• connected to a central switch

(participial), • in binary notation (prepositional),• in broadcast mode (prepositional)

2.1.2. Contextual analysis

= delimiting the context in which a term appears and pinpointing the semantic features it contains.

Contexts can be considered as:• defining• explanatory or• (merely) associative,depending on the quality and quantity of

the semantic features they provide.

2.1.3. Term creation The terminologist’s role is to identify

existing terms not to invent new ones.However, in bilingual terminology new

concepts may be named in one language and not in the other, or a reality specific to one language community may be foreign to the other -> The terminologist can create terms to fill the gaps (iff well versed in word-formation techniques + good knowledge of the special language to which the newly created term will belong)

2.1.4. Standardisation

For some professionals, terminological research and standardization go hand and hand. Terminologists’ contribution can help make decisions about standardizing certain items less arbitrarily (esp. when usage is being described). Terminologists can nonetheless practise descriptive terminology without ever becoming involved in standardization.

2.1.5 Notes1) Localisation = linguistic and cultural

adaptation to the target market Be careful about terms denoting products,

software and services.

2) Imprecise/Incorrect terminology can have undesirable effects on

- Regulations and laws (-> contradictory);- Technical translations –> e.g. confusing

instructions- Classifications (->confusing->) increased search

time, unsuccessful product searching; - Warehouse management;- Production…

2.2 Specialized terms only!

Almost all fields of human endeavour have their own special language: the arts, science, business, economics, law, medicine (+ ‘humbler’ occupations: nursing, book-keeping, cooking, hobbies…). The lexicon of a special language contains both general-language words and terms with special reference.

Terminology is concerned with researching specialized terms, not general-language vocabulary. And yet…

2.3. Researching Terms in Context - 1

-> aware of current usage. Situational contexts, written contexts

2.3.1.In a situational context, the meaning of a term becomes clear when the terminologist connects the term with the concrete ‘thing’ to which it refers (e.g., in dentistry: impression, mould and cast – in the situational context the dentist will show the terminologist the impression material which is placed over the patient’s teeth; a mould which is made with that material; and into which plaster is poured to make the cast or model)

2.3. Researching Terms in Context - 2

2.3.2 In a written context, the meaning is not nearly as clear. E.g., a dictionary definition elucidates a term’s meaning, but stabilizes it and restricts it: the living language is continually changing –> broadening of meaning, –> narrowing of meaning…

E.g., technology: - dictionary definitions (the science of the

application of knowledge to practical purposes, i.e., a means of doing something)- other contexts – broadening of meaning from “a means of doing something” to “the end product” itself. Newly-developed equipment – the product of technology – is also referred to as technology.

2.3. Researching Terms in Context - 3

• Lexicographic works - useful but have limitations (not up to date; info. out of context; requires interpretation).

• Terminology is a dynamic discipline aimed at researching living language in the contexts in which it is used. (Terminologists must always be aware of usage and be on the lookout for new terms and new meanings).

2.3. Researching Terms in Context - 4

• Equivalence of semantic features in source- and target-language contexts, referred to as textual correspondence in comparative terminology, is required to establish equivalence of terms.

2.4 User’s Need for Means of Expression

Terminologists orient their work acc. to the user’s communication needs. These depend on: - the languages involved,

- the activities in question, &- the people engaged in them.

The common problem of all users of terminology: knowing what something is called or what to call something.

The q. of access to info. In what form should terminological info. be made available to those who need it?

2.5 Terminology Records -          accommodate all reference info. (sources and dates),-          illustrate equivalence of entries and concepts through corresponding contexts &-          indicate fields and subfields in which the terms were used.

2.6 Terminological media

• Manual terminology records - included in manual terminology files

• Computerised records, entered into computerised data bases, or used as basis for preparing vocabularies and glossarie