Principles of Terminology Development Dr Mariëtta Alberts Pan South African Language Board

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Introduction National Language Bodies (NLBs) Technical Committees (TCs) Standardization Spelling and Orthography Lexicography vs. Terminography Terminology as a tool in language development Information technology - the future of language development

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 National Language Bodies (NLBs):  Are the custodians of the languages  Determine the standards of the languages  Empower, promote and develop languages  Verify and authenticate terms  Work through Technical Committees (TCs)

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Advisory capacity of NLBs: Technical Committees (TCs) advise the NLBs and PanSALB on: Standardisation Terminology development Dictionary needs Literature and Media Research Education Other language related matters

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Standardization Crystal (1985) defines standardisation as a natural development of a standard language in a speech community or an attempt by a community to impose one dialect as a standard. According to Hudson (1980) standardisation is a direct and deliberate intervention by society to create a standard language where before there were just ‘dialects’ (non-standard varieties).

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Standardization (cont.) Standard languages are usually associated with prestige and cut across regional differences, providing a unified means of communication. The standard language is an institutionalised norm which can be used in mass media, economic sector, education, science and technology: ConceptSymbol Linguistic representation I i 1 one, een, eins, uno, tee, nngwe, inye, ukunye II ii 2 two, twee, zwei, duo, pedi, bobedi, isibini, isibili

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Standardization (cont.) Standardization is necessary to facilitate communication, provide a uniform form for learning material and dictionaries, and the establishment of agreed orthography and spelling rules. Standardised terms ensure exact communication among subject specialists themselves, but also between subject specialists and laypeople.

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Standardised terms The increasing use of non-standard language in the classroom often has dire consequences for learners and for language development alimentary canal digestive tract gastrointestinal tract

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Standardization Unified spelling and orthography systems should be created for the languages selected for standardization. Lexicographers and terminographers document the vocabulary and terminology of the standard variety of a language. Lexicographers and terminographers adhere to the spelling and orthography rules of the standard variety of a language when compiling dictionaries. Language practitioners and language users need standardised spelling and orthography rules.

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Modernisation No living language is static. A living language change and therefore it needs to be modernised. No living language is static. A living language change and therefore it needs to be modernised. Modernisation entails that the spelling and orthography rules of a language need to be revised on a regular basis. Modernisation entails that the spelling and orthography rules of a language need to be revised on a regular basis. An orthography is to literacy what numeration is to numeracy (EN Emenanjo, 1998) An orthography is to literacy what numeration is to numeracy (EN Emenanjo, 1998) Language modernisation is a co-operative venture between government agencies (i.e. language bureaux) and the speakers of the language. Language modernisation is a co-operative venture between government agencies (i.e. language bureaux) and the speakers of the language.

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Revision of spelling and orthography rules PanSALB requested the National Language Bodies in July 2004 to revise the current (DoE) spelling and orthography rules. The Technical Committees: Standardization of the nine African Language NLBs revised the current rules. Consultative meetings were held with stakeholders to discuss draft rules. The process was finalized in 2007 and PanSALB is in the process of publishing the revised spelling and orthography rules (2008). The revision of spelling and orthography rules is an ongoing process and the NLBs will immediately after publication start with the revision process. Publication would be at the end of the 5 year term of office of NLBs.

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008

Lexicography vs. Terminography Lexi = word -graphy = to write Lexicography is the practice of compiling dictionaries. Dictionaries can be compiled on any aspect of language, i.e. general words, explanatory dictionaries, translation dictionaries, slang dictionaries, etymological dictionaries, dialectal dictionaries, technical dictionaries Terminography is the practice of compiling technical dictionaries that are subject related.

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Terminology development Terminologists document terminology with the aim of providing subject specialists and laypeople with standardised terms that denote the corresponding concepts. It is of the utmost importance to use standardised terms in subject related work. billion: 10 9 or ? Concept English/German American/French 10 9 milliardbillion billiontrillion

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 What is terminology? The set of practices and methods used for the collection, description and presentation of terms; A theory, i.e. the set of premises, arguments and conclusions required for explaining the relationship between concepts and terms which are fundamental for a coherent terminological activity; A vocabulary of a special subject field. (Sager 1990;3; Cluver 1989:146)

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Terminology: Basic principles Cognitive dimension Linguistic dimension Communicative dimension

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Basic principles: Cognitive dimension  Point of departure is concept.  Principally subject or domain oriented rather than language oriented.  There is a one to one relationship between concept and term to ensure exact communication.  Terminology is a standardising process.

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Terminological triangle:

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008

Definitions If a concept is defined, the exact meaning can be determined:.__________. A definition is therefore supplied to designate the concept: a straight line is the shortest distance between two points Information on the concept is then gained from the definition to name such concept or to coin a term: straight line: reguitlyn, umugqa oqondo thwi, umgca ongqalileyo, umugca locondzile, umudathwi, molatlhamalalo, mothalothwii, mola o otlolohileng, mutalo tswititi, layini-thwi, layini yo ololoka

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008

arsonist vs. pyromaniac The terms arsonist and pyromaniac describe a person who sets fire to an object, but: An arsonist is a criminal who deliberately sets fire to something, e.g. a building. A pyromaniac is a person who cannot control the desire to set fire to things, often because of a mental illness.

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008

Basic Principles: Linguistic dimension Primary term creation Source language (SL) / documentation language (DL) Linguistic or non-linguistic representation of concept Concept formulation = monolingual New discoveries/development, restructuring of knowledge Secondary term creation Target language(s) Transfer of knowledge = bilingual / multilingual Subject to stricter guidelines (word-forming principles) Dominated by natural language

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Supplying of term equivalents Transliteration Using the classic stem (usually Latin or Greek) seolfor → silabar → silbar → silfr → silubr: silver, silwer, silibera, silefera, selefera, isilivere, isiliva Borrowing (loan words) From any living language: book / boek / puku Total embedding (origin: e.g. Latin, Italian) Adoption of term: bone fide; sub iudice (Legal); vena maxillaris (Medical); andante; allegro (Music) Extension of meaning: mouse (rodent; computer device) Neologisms: virtual network; intranet; internet; ; unleaded petrol (lead-free* petrol) computer: rekenaar / calculator: sakrekenaar komper/rekenaar; beeldradio/televisie

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Basic principles: Communicative dimension Transfer of knowledge and information through terminology Communication usually linguistic (written, spoken), but also non-linguistic (symbols, gestures, icons, mnemonic signs, videos, colours, …) Terminology involved in information transfer/retrieval Information transfer and retrieval/assimilation best through first language Terminology should be known/understood by author/sender and reader/recipient of information

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 The role of terminology: Language development - functional languages in all domains/subject areas Information retrieval through mother tongue/ first language (acquire vs. convey) Standardisation: misunderstanding vs. exact communication Cultural differences: raisin = grape or dried fruit? private school vs. public school billion = 10 9 or =  Consultation: subject specialists, language practitioners, lay people, stakeholders, members of National Language Bodies, etc.

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Terminology as a discipline is at the service of the language policy of the reigning government, e.g. monolingual, bilingual or multilingual; governed by the language policy of the country previous dispensation: bilingual technical dictionaries present dispensation: multilingual term lists

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Role of Terminology in language development Availability of multilingual polythematic terminology: indicator of development Specialised communication has a central axle or hub in terminology Streamlined translation and interpreting services provide competitive advantages Standardised terminology contributes to quality of translations, interpreting and subject related communication

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Client Head of Terminology Office System Development & Research Needs assessment, prioritization Terminography Section Excerpt SL terms Define SL concepts Data management & Publication Print dictionary SL & TLs Terminology Section Supply translation equivalents in TLs Natural Sciences Life Sciences Human Sciences Commercial Sciences IsiXhosaTshivendaSesothoAfrikaans isiZuluXitsongaSesotho sa Leboa IsiNdebeleSetswana Siswati Consultation - Source LanguageConsultation - Target language(s) Subject specialists Linguists Language Users Multilingual terminology list (SL + TLs) Subject specialists Linguists Language Users

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Compilation of terminology list is a time-consuming task A task that needs commitment and devotion from subject specialists trained terminologists language practitioners, linguists (e.g. NLBs) End-result: enhancement of subject area better / exact communication development of languages into functional languages

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008

Dissemination of terminological information Direct queries to national termbank (e.g. Intranet,TCS homepage (flat files)) Online dictionaries on Internet or CD ROM Indirect queries to national termbank via , telephone or fax Publications (term lists, technical dictionaries) Documents containing terms: text books, dissertations, manuals, journals, brochures, etc. Mass communication media (radio, press, TV…)

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 Individuals, private and public organizations

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008 HLT virtual network SA Government has approved the development of a human language technology (HLT) virtual network All lexicography and terminology endeavours will be part of HLT virtual network Multilingual terms available on HLT virtual network to end-users (subject specialists, students, language practitioners, general public) Spellcheckers are made available in official languages Microsoft Interface Packs (LIP) for XP and Vista platforms

Dr Mariëtta Alberts, SATI seminar, Pretoria 11 June 2008

Thank you! Dr Mariëtta Alberts PanSALB Private Bag X08 ARCADIA 0007 Tel: Fax: