Chapter III: Terminology and Arabization: Problems of Multiplicity and Methodology Part 1

Terminology A relatively new field , 1930s. Austrian Eugen Wüster (1898-1977) Father of terminology, Founder of the Vienne School (Electric engineer, Lexicographer, Terminologist, Terminographer, Translator, Linguist, Bibliographer, Librarian, Language Planner, Professor.)

What does terminology mean? In contemporary literature, the term terminology is used in three senses: 1. As a theoretical field of study concerned with concepts and terms, their relations, and the principles governing these relation. 2. As a practical or applied field concerned with the practices of collecting, managing, and documenting terminological data. 3. The collection of terms belonging to a field.

Following are some of the definitions proposed for terminology as a theoretical domain: “The scientific study of concepts and terms found in special languages.” Its object of study is the “set of terms representing the system of concepts of a particular subject field” (ISO) “The study of concept systems and categorizing them into logical taxonomies” (Wüster) “Terminology is a discipline that is concerned with naming concepts. One of its important aims is to identify the position of every concept in a system of concepts based on the relationships that exist between the concepts”.

Why did terminology emerge? To satisfy the need of specialists to unify concepts and terms. To set up and unify the principles of generating terms. What does the development of terminology indicate? Language development Specialization Interpreting reality and categorizing experiences Societal and intellectual sophistication Encapsulation of knowledge.

One of the important tasks of terminology is to establish a link between concepts and terms, which is done traditionally by definitions. Through definition we identify the precise reference of a term to a concept and create and declare relationships to other concepts inside the knowledge structure. A knowledge structure can always be expanded by adding new concepts.

Approaches to terminology: 1. Subject-field-oriented approach: concepts, their relations, term-concept correspondence, assignment of terms to concept (Russian School) 2. Philosophy-oriented approaches is similar to subject-field-oriented approach but it classifies concepts into philosophical categories (Vienne School) 3. Linguistic approach considers terminologies as being sub-languages of individual languages; applies linguistic tools (Prague School)

Development in terminology → ISO Responsibilities: Unification of term-generating methods Finding the best way to disseminate terms A big transformation: computers and term banks. The 1st term bank appeared in 1960s.

Factors that contributed to the development of terminology 1. Progress in science (interdisciplinarity and microspecialization) 2. Development of technology 3. Development of mass media 4. International political rapport 5. International commerce 6. Spread of multinational communities 7. Standardization (progress in standardization) 8. State intervention (language academies) 9. Cultural and technological colonialism 10. Globalization 11. Social media.

Characteristics of terminology: 1. Identifies and investigates concepts. 2. Limited to terms and vocabulary items that designate concepts. 3. Synchronic not diachronic, examining current state of concept systems and identifying their relationships. 4. Concerned with methods of creating and unifying terms. 5. Contributes to language enrichment and development. 6. Concerned only with written, not spoken, terms 7. Specifies the designation of term components. 8. Has an international perspective and vision. 9. Aims at language planning and embraces standardization. 10. Interdisciplinary, related to the various fields of knowledge.

Terminological problems: 1. Using a classical term for a new concept that differs from the original concept it used to signify. The result is that the term has two different meanings. 2. Using more than one term to refer to one concept, which is considered a waste of our linguistic resources. For example, linguistics: اللسانيات، الألسنية، اللغويات، علم اللغة 3. Using one term to signify two concepts, which minimizes clarity and precision and causes confusion. For example, سياق و سياقي for: associative, syntagmatic, and contextual. 4. Not making use of the efforts of classical Arab scholars. 5. Using common Arabized terms such as anthropology and, at the same time, the dictionary says it’s إناسة

6. Having different forms for Arabized terms. For example, فونيم, فونام. 7. Writing proper names differently; واشنجتون، واشنجتن، واشنغتن 8. Focusing only on basic terms, and overlooking more specific terms. 9. Dictionaries do not provide definitions 10 Standardized terms are not put into use 11. Partial consideration when dealing with a new term. 12. Not making lists of terms of a single field of knowledge in a complete project. 13. Not documenting work on terminology.

Terms and concepts What is a term? 1. The concept of term has been defined by the ISO variously as follows: “A term is a verbal designation of a general concept in a specific subject field”. (2000) “A term is a word, phrase or symbol used to denote a concept”. (1996) “A term is a linguistic construct in a conceptual schema language that refers to an entity”. (1999) “A term is a designation of a defined concept in a special language by a linguistic expression”. (1999)

2. L. Bowker (2009: 286-9) “...terms are linguistic designations assigned to concepts. Because terminology deals with specialized domains of knowledge, terms refer to the discrete conceptual entities, properties, activities or relations that constitute knowledge in a particular domain...”. 3. The main function of a terminological unit (single word, expression, symbol, formula, etc.) is to designate a concept in the particular field of knowledge. 4. A term is a unit in a system of concepts. مصطلح in Arabic means “to agree”.

Why do we need terms? keys to knowledge Understanding terms is half of knowledge knowledge is a cluster of related concepts organized in a system and terms designate concepts modern society is described as the society of information or society of knowledge Production and services processes are now dependent on technical and scientific knowledge.

What is a “concept”? 1. Concepts are “mental constructs that are used to classify the individual objects in the external or internal world by means of a more or less arbitrary process of abstraction. (ISO) 2. A concept is a unit of content consisting of a set of characteristics. 3. Concepts are the units of knowledge that constitute the mental representations of objects 4. A concept is an element of thought, a mental construct that represents a class of objects. 5. A concept is a unit of thought.

6. Concepts are the result of a selection process of the salient characteristics defining a class of objects and not the individual objects themselves. 7. By means of the process of designation we use terms to refer to concrete and abstract reality, a reality that is external and internal as well as individual and collective. 8. A concept is a unit of knowledge that can be represented and identified uniquely by reference to its characteristics, features, or components. This also means defining its position in the knowledge space. As ISO states, the characteristics of a concept is its paraphrase or definition. For example: A microsome is: a small particle; found in the cytoplasm of a cell; made up of fragmented endoplasmic reticulum to which ribosome are attached.