Lecture 6 Complete Terminological Analysis

8/13/2019 Lecture 6 Complete Terminological Analysis

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Lecture 6

TERMINOLOGICAL ANALYSIS


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0. Introduction

Terminological analysis is central to thesubject-field research process. Itinvolves:

identifying the terms specific to the fieldof study and

analyzing the contexts in which theyappear.


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1. Identification of Terms

A term or terminology unit is the name ordesignation of a concept specific to a

subject field. The terminology of agiven field includes all means ofexpression peculiar to that field:

simple terms, complex terms and

terminological phrases.


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Factors to be taken into account

when identifying terminology units: the relationship between thedeterminant and determinatum,

degree of lexicalization, classification of concepts, collocation and typographic indications.


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1.1 Relationship between

Determinant and Determinatum Analyzing the relationship between

determinant (in complex terminology units, theelement that qualifies the meaning of the base wordor determinatum, e.g. desktop in desktop publishing or double-sided and double-density in double-sideddouble-density diskette ) and

determinatum ( in complex terminology units, thebase word that is qualified by the determinant, e.g.advertising in subliminal advertising and editing infilm editing ) is essential in identifying a terminologyunit. Only those determinants that fundamentallymodify the determinatum are considered part of a

terminology unit. -->


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Distinguish essential determinants frominessential (not always clear-cut to

discuss charitable in the expressionscharitable institution and charitable man ). Establishing whether a determinant isessential or inessential requires a thorough

analysis of the concept in question and of itsplace in the conceptual framework of thesubject field.


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1.1.1 Inessential Determinants

Inessential determinants modify thedeterminatum without substantiallychanging its meaning, e.g., intricate inintricate technology product, initial in the expression initial verification

technique .


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1.1.2 Essential Determinants

Essential determinants specify a vitalaspect of the determinatum. E.g, bait- and-switch advertising and advocacyadvertising (advertising terms whichreflect only two of the countless

ingenious ways devised to influence ourthinking and behaviour)


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1.2 Degree of Lexicalization

Terminology units are sometimes lesslexicalized than lexical units . (A highlylexicalized term is one composed primarily ofclosely linked lexical or vocabulary items andis characterized by the absence of linkingfunction words, i.e. articles, conjunctions,prepositions. Lexical unit = a unit of thevocabulary of a language, such as a word orphrase listed in a dictionary.)(To illustrate lexicalisation: husband hus+bond,woman


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Basic reasons: (1) Terminology units are considered part of spoken or

written messages; various forms of a term may be usedin context. One form is often less lexicalized than theothers. For example, the author of an article on networkenvironments may vary his terms and speak of securityof networks, network security or simply security.

(2) The terminology of many developing fields is usuallyevolving. As a result, terminology units are not as set aslexical units, hence the appearance of more or less

lexicalized variants (see lecture on synonymy). Forexample, the same article on network environments is just as apt to refer to validation in real time as real-timevalidation. These variants are important to note, as theyindicate the forms of expression that are used in

context.


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Highly lexicalized terms representing aprecise concept in a given field arealmost invariably terminology units.However, a low degree of lexicalizationdoes not necessarily preclude an

expression from being a terminologyunit.


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1.3 Classification of Concepts The terminologist ultimately decides whether a

particular expression is in fact a terminologyunit by referring to the conceptual frameworkof the subject field.

E.g., in the field of audience measurement (seeSUBJECT FIELD RESEARCH ), unsystematicsampling is a terminology unit because it isopposed to systematic sampling; clustersampling, area sampling and stratifiedsampling are terminology units because theyare types of systematic sampling.


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Thus, terminology units are identified inrelation to other terminology units andthe concepts they represent. In allthese cases, the determinants areessential as they serve to specify the

relationships in question.


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Note:SA Standard CAN/CSA-Z780-92, Principles and Methods of

Terminology (Toronto: Canadian Standards Association,June 1992), identifies two types of relationships amongconcepts:

hierarchical , which includes generic and partitive, and non-hierarchical. Generic rel.: between systematic sampling and its various

types ( systematic sampling = broader concept)

Partitive rel.: between loom and its components ( loom = thewhole; its components = the parts).

Non-hierarchical rel.: first-phase sample and second-phasesample ( the two concepts are part of the same process)


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1.4 Collocation A collocation or co-occurring expression is

made up of two or more terms which typicallyappear in combination in a particular field.

E.g. (the field of telematics, i.e., ICT = Informationand Communications Technology) to acknowledgereceipt of a message, to clear a buffer and toformulate a query.

Collocations are not always verbal phrases but can beother parts of speech, e.g., request for copyrightclearance (nominal phrase). Collocated terms areconsidered to be terminology units because theyare subject-specific expressions which frequentlyoccur together.


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1.5 Typographic Indications

The terminologist should also note thetypographic devices used by an author:

bold print, italics, quotation marks and underlining.These devices are often used to emphasize the

fundamental concepts of a field, and cansometimes mark a terminology unit.


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2. Contextual Analysis

Once a term has been identified, the contextin which it is found must be analysed to

determine the concept it represents andestablish whether it belongs to the researchsubject.

This step is also useful in detectingsynonyms and variants, and in selectingthe context to be entered on theterminology record.


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2.1 Identification of Semantic

Features When analyzing the context in which a term appears, theterminologist must pinpoint the semantic features itcontains. The most significant semantic features are thosewhich describe

the nature of a concept or object, its purpose, function, composition, material, cause or effect.

Semantic features describing the dimensions, shape or use ofan object are also important.


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2.2 Context Selection

When selecting the context that will be entered ona terminology record to illustrate the meaningand use of a term, the terminologist must takeinto account the descriptive elements it contains.

The space reserved for the context on records islimited

select the most important semantic features, and shorten the context to remove irrelevant

information.


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2.3 Types of Contexts

A context is called defining, explanatory or associative

depending on the quality and quantity ofsemantic features it contains.


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2.3.1 Defining Context A defining context contains the term and

sufficient semantic features to provide a clear ideaof its meaning. It does not necessarily constitutea formal definition.

E.g., a defining context for weaving: "Weaving is amethod of producing cloth by interlacing two ormore sets of yarns. . . at right angles to eachother."

This context provides certain essentialcharacteristics of the concept, i.e. the nature (method), the purpose (producing cloth), and themeans by which it is achieved (interlacing setsof yarns at right angles).


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2.3.2 Explanatory Context An explanatory context describes somecharacteristics of a concept, without necessarily

defining it.E.g., context for the term shed which is used in

weaving: "Each warp yarn must run straight fromcloth beam to warp beam without being crossed withany other yarn; this is essential for raising andlowering the different harnesses to form a shed."

This context explains how a shed is formed, withoutactually specifying its nature or function. For anyonewith an understanding of how a loom works, it isclear that shed refers to the space created when the

warp yarn is separated into two layers, although thisis not ex licitl stated in the context.


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3. Conclusion In identifying terminology units, it is important to examine the relationship between the

determinant and determinatum,

to bear in mind that terminology units can beless lexicalized than lexical units, and to be on the look-out for co-occurring

expressions.

In analyzing the contexts in which terminologyunits appear, it is essential to zero in on thesemantic features that best describe theconcept.


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Term identification and contextualanalysis together form the

cornerstone of all terminologicalanalysis.


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4. Sample Terminological

AnalysisTo illustrate the method of terminological

analysis described above, the terms

appearing in the following text will beidentified and commented on. Thecontexts in which they appear will then

be selected, analysed, and categorisedaccording to type, i.e. defining,explanatory or associative.


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Step I: Detection of Terms -weaving (Basic concept in the production ofwoven fabric.) -producing cloth (to produce cloth) (Basic

concept in the production of woven fabric.)

-interlacing sets of yarns (to interlace sets ofyarn) (Co-occurring expression which isbroken down below.)

-interlacing (to interlace) (Basic concept in theproduction of woven fabric.)

-set of yarns (Basic concept in the production ofwoven fabric.)


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- yarn (Basic concept in the production ofwoven fabric.)

- warp set (Unit inferred from "Weaving is amethod of producing cloth by interlacing twoor more sets of yarns, at least one warp andone filling set. . ." Set applies to both warp and filling, and is short for set of yarn. Warpset is in opposition to filling set.)

- filling set (Filling is an essential determinantas it indicates the function of the yarn anddistinguishes it from the warp. Here again,set is short for set of yarn.)


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- warp; ends (Warp is short for warp yarn below. Endsis given as a synonym of warp. Warp and ends aremarked as terms by italics.)

- filling; picks; weft (Filling is short for filling yarn

below. Picks and weft are given as synonyms offilling . Here too, filling, picks and weft are marked asterms by italics.)

- -woven fabric (Woven is an essential determinant,specifying the type of fabric, as opposed to knitted,bonded or felt, for example, and the means by whichit is produced.)


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-warp yarn (Long form of warp above.Extra in extra warp yarn is inessential

as it does not significantly modify themeaning of warp yarn .) -selvage (Basic concept in the production

of woven fabric; marked as a term byitalics.)

-filling yarn (Long form of filling above.)


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The machine for weaving is a loom, ofwhich there are several types, varying

in complexity. All looms, from the mostprimitive to the most modern, operateon similar principles. [. . .]


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Essential parts of the loom include the warp

beam, on which the warp yams are wound;the cloth beam, on which the cloth is woundas it is woven; harness frames which carrythe heddles, and which move up or down toform the weaving shed; heddles, each withan eye in the center, through which theindividual yams are threaded, usually oneyam to a heddle; the reed, which keeps thewarp yams separated, helps to determinecloth width, and acts as a beater; andshuttles or bobbins for carrying the fillingyarns across from side to side. []


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-loom (Basic concept in the production ofwoven fabric; marked as a term by italics.)

-warp beam (Partitive relationship to loom, opposed to cloth beam; marked as a term byitalics.)

-cloth beam (Partitive relationship to loom,opposed to warp beam; marked as a term by

italics.)- harness frame (Partitive relationship to loom;

marked as a term by italics.)


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-to form the weaving shed (Would be enteredon the terminology record as to form aweaving shed. Co-occurring expression; basicconcept in the production of woven fabric.)

-weaving shed ( Weaving is an essentialdeterminant as it specifies a vital aspect ofshed.)

-heddle (Partitive relationship to loom; markedas a term by italics.)

-reed (Partitive relationship to loom; marked asa term by italics.) '


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-shuttle; bobbin (Partitive relationship to foom;bobbin is given as a synonym of shuttle. Bothare marked as terms by italics.)

-eye of the heddle (Would be entered on theterminology record as eye of a heddle. Lesslexicalized expression similar to eye of aneedle; correct in eye of the correct heddle is inessential.

-pattern (Basic concept in the production ofwoven fabric.)

-threading (Basic concept in weavingpreparation.)


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-cloth beam apron (Partitive relationship to clothbeam.)

-to form a shed (Short for to form a weaving shedabove.)

-shed (Short for weaving shed above; marked as aterm by italics.)

-harness (Short for harness frame above.)-frame (Short for harness frame above.)

-tied-in knot (Tied-in is an essential determinant as itindicates the type of knot.) -cloth apron (Short for cloth beam apron above;)


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Step II: Selection of Contexts

When selecting a context, theterminologist attempts to cull as much

relevant data as possible on themeaning of a term. Contexts aretherefore selected according to the

quality of the information they contain.The contexts appearing in this text canbe selected and analysed as follows:


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weaving

Weaving is a method ( nature ) of producingcloth ( purpose ) by interlacing ( means ) two ormore sets of yarns ( material ). . . at rightangles to each other ( means ).

(Defining)

produce cloth (to) Weaving ( means ) is a method of producingcloth by interlacing ( means ) two or more setsof yarns ( material ). . . at right angles to eachother ( means ).(Explanatory)


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interlace sets of yarn (to)

Weaving is a method of producing cloth(purpose) by interlacing two or more sets ofyarns, at least one warp and one filling set(material), at right angles to each other

(position). (Explanatory)

set of yarn Weaving is a method of producing cloth byinterlacing two or more sets of yarns. . . atright angles to each other. (Associative) (For. Def. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarn)


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Now you do it!

The chemical environment of the brain


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The brain has the consistency of firm jelly, and

therefore is protectively encased in a thick, bonyskull. The brain literally floats in about 150millilitres (mL) of CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF)secreted by the choroid plexus. Approximately

500 mL of CSF is secreted daily, which slowlycirculates down through the four ventricles, upthrough the subarachnoid space and exits into thecerebral veins through the arachnoid villi. The

brain has no lymphatic system, so the CSF servesas a partial substitute.


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The brain has the consistency of firm jelly, and

therefore is protectively encased in a thick, bonyskull. The brain literally floats in about 150millilitres (mL) of CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF)secreted by the choroid plexus. Approximately

500 mL of CSF is secreted daily, which slowlycirculates down through the four ventricles, upthrough the subarachnoid space and exits into thecerebral veins through the arachnoid villi. The

brain has no lymphatic system, so the CSF servesas a partial substitute.

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Lecture 6 Complete Terminological Analysis