Terminology Resources & Principles

A seminar for PhD candidates in Civil Engineering

prepared in the work context of Thematic Network “European University Civil

Engineering Education and Training” (EUCEET)

Final version: March 22, 2010

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Terminology: interface between knowledge and language

endlessly via TermsKnowledgedevelops and enrichesLanguage

endlessly via TermsLanguagedescribes and conveysKnowledge

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Terminology – Definitions

• Terminology– set of designations belonging to one special

language ( = language of a specific subject field)ISO 1087-1, 2000

• Terminology (terminology science)– scientific discipline dealing with concepts and

their representations in special languagesSchmitz, 2006, Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics

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Seminar Objectives• Scope: participants

– are able to make informed choices of technical terms• get started with terminology principles • learn to use sources for organized glossaries

• Outcomes: at the end of the seminar, participants– know of national standards body & source of standards,

national committee for terminology– can locate terminology standards and glossaries in their

subject area– can use web-based multilingual term resources– are familiar with good practices in definition-giving and term-

rendering– are able to evaluate technical terms on the basis of

terminology principles

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Seminar Format & Content• One 2-hour presentation (day 1)

– The three players of terminology: concept, definition, term– Terminology needs in research (in own language)

• an unknown term• how should we call it?• discovery of a new concept

– Concepts, concept relations, concept systems– 4 rules for a good definition, 7 criteria for a good term– Evaluation of terms from technical texts– Resources – Assignment: evaluation of terms (due day 15)

• One 1-hour discussion (day 22)– Discussion of assignments

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An introduction to the basic elements

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A preview: where are we going

• Informed choices of terms are made when: – corresponding concepts are fully specified

• a concept is fully specified with a definition and its position in a concept system

– existing glossaries are consulted– principles for term rendering are observed

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The terminology triangle

1. object

2. concept

3. term

anything perceivable or conceivable

* humans, recognizing the common characteristics that exist in a majority of individual objects of the same type, use concepts as “cognitive representatives” of these objects

unit of knowledge* created by a unique combination of characteristics

verbal designation of a general concept in a specific subject field

general: refers to a class of objects (cable bridge)

individual: refers to an individual object (Golden Gate bridge)

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The three basic players of terminology

1. object

2. concept

3. term

anything perceivable or conceivable

unit of knowledge created by a unique combination of characteristics

verbal designation of a general concept in a specific subject field

our minds

realitycommunication

definition

characteristics

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When/how do terminology needs come up?

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Most common need: designation (term) definition* concept– What does X mean?– Χ is … (the definition through selected characteristics makes the concept known)

objects context(subject field)

definition

characteristics

concept

designation

(term) Χ

linguistic/mental plane

Terminology need: an unknown term

initially known to me

*sources of definitions?

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Examples of unknown terms (1/3)

• advection • caisson• air sparging

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Examples of unknown terms (2/3)

• advection– subject field: fluid flow, contaminant transport

• caisson– subject field: geotechnical engineering, structural

engineering

• air sparging– subject field: geoenvironmental engineering

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Examples of unknown terms (3/3)

• advection (a physical phenomenon) – subject field: fluid flow, contaminant transport

• caisson (a structure)– subject field: geotechnical engineering, structural

engineering

• air sparging (a remediation method for contaminated groundwater)– subject field: geoenvironmental engineering

to be defined later…

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Need to choose among terms: objects characteristics concept definition designation – Similar terms I don’t think much about when others choose them– If I need to make a choice, then I must first (1) seek definitions (use sources, consider guidelines for a good definition), (2) create concept system and then make my informed choice

objects context(subject field)

definition

characteristics

concept

designation (term) Χ

linguistic/mental plane

Terminology need: how should we call it? (1)

initially known to all

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Choice among “similar” terms• Choice between common engineering terms (in

alphabetical order):– coefficient– constant– factor– index– parameter

• How “similar” are the corresponding concepts? Is one of them a super-category (superordinate concept) where all/some others belong?

• Perhaps common issue in subject fields where many quantities are determined experimentally

open assignment for seminar participants!

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Need for a code term: objects characteristics concept definition designation – I need to refer to a concept (in order to facilitate communication within my research group)– I select a definition (use sources, consider guidelines for a good definition) and we agree to call it X

objects context(subject field)

definition

characteristics

concept

designation (term) Χ

linguistic/mental plane

Terminology need: how should we call it? (2)

initially known to all

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An instance of making up terms

• Some background: – During landfill operation, fluids infiltrating through the

waste to the landfill bottom are removed and treated– Treated fluid is either discharged/used (type 1 landfill) or

returned to the mass of waste in order to increase moisture and accelerate waste decomposition (type 2 landfill)

• In an environmental engineering class, type 1 landfill is called a “dry landfill” to distinguish it from type 2, called “moist landfill” (instead of using the more descriptive term “recirculation landfill”)

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Conception: New knowledge is conceived in the mind of the first “godfather or godmother” in a source language – Εureka! This is a new concept! (created by a specific combination of characteristics)   How should I describe it?  How should I name it?– It is … (original definition). I will call it with the term Χ.

objects context(subject field)

definition

characteristics

concept

designation (term) Χ

linguistic/mental plane

Source Language

Terminology need: Discovery

discovered

created studied

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Example of discovering a concept (1)

• The new concept may be only broader or narrower than another concept, but needs to be distinguished with a different term– recirculation landfill

• addition of water

– bioreactor landfill• addition of water and/or nutrients

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Example of discovering a concept (2)

• Student in the Greek Open University working on his thesis in subject field Graph Theory:– invents a mathematical quantity that avoids the

calculation of factorials, thus providing an efficient solution to the Traveling Salesman Problem

– makes up Greek terms for this quantity & related concepts– approaches the Hellenic Society for Terminology (ELETO)

and runs by them equivalent English terms– ELETO offers a synonym for one of the Greek terms and

modifies the English terms by applying terminology good practices

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Need: Term rendering from source language

MUST be available at a minimum!

Consider good practices for term rendering

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Back to terminology basics

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Concepts

• Concepts are cognitive representatives for objects, created on the basis of common characteristics– characteristics define and delimit concepts

• Concepts are related to one another on the basis of their characteristics

• Concept relations can be hierarchical (generic and partitive relations) or non-hierarchical

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Concept relations

• A generic (genus-species) relation exists between a broader (superordinate) concept and a narrower (subordinate) concept

• Different criteria can be used to create generic relations. Example: Bridge– Suspension bridge (a bridge with a deck supported

by cables draped from towers and anchored at both ends)

– Pedestrian bridge

Criterion: type of structural design (cable bridge, arch bridge, …)

Criterion: type of use (railway bridge, highway bridge, overpass, …)

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Concept relations (cont’d)

• A partitive (part-whole) relation exists between a concept and between its individual components– Bridge (foundation, pylon, deck, …)

• Non hierarchical relationships refer to any type of association (e.g., sequential relation, spatial relation, cause-and-effect, sharing of characteristics)

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Concept systems

• A concept system depicts the relations between concepts and their position in the system

• The position of a concept in a concept system together with its definition help in anchoring the concept in the subject field under study– the relations depicted in the concept system can

help in stating/improving the definition of a concept

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Concept system example: contaminant hydrology

Note: Generic relations (genus – species relations) are shown with tree-like structures

Associative relations are shown with arrows

contaminant transport

mechanical transport

phenomena

molecular transport

phenomena

advection (Α.1.1)

mechanical dispersion

(Α.1.2)

diffusion (Α.2.1)

degradation (Α.4)

sorption (Α.3)

desorption (Α.3.3)

adsorption (Α.3.1)

absorption (Α.3.2)

transport phenomenon

sorption: binding of dissolved substances to soil constituents

adsorption: sorption to the surface of soil particles

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Concept system example: structures (bridges no 1)

Concept systems are not unique,

hence can be improved.

Any suggestions?

bridge

foundation

support elements deck

(horizontal) (vertical & inclined)

superstructure

truss pier pylon

Note: Generic relations (genus-species relations) are shown with tree-like structures Partitive relations (whole-part relations) are shown with rake-like diagrams

cable

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Concept system example: structures (bridges no 2)

bridge

(use) (material) (load transfer mechanism)

pedestrian

bridge

road bridge

railway bridge

timber bridge

rope bridge

steel bridge

concrete bridge

conventional bridge (horizontal main girders)

suspension bridge

arch bridge

cable bridge

cable stayed bridge

overpass

Note: Generic relations (genus- species relations) are shown with tree- like structures

truss bridge

underbridge overbridge

masonry bridge

steel- concrete composite bridge

fiber - reinforced polymer bridge

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Guidelines for a good definitionA definition is valid if it can replace a term in a text without loss of or change in meaningIt is a preferred practice to describe the concept in terms of its superordinate concept and its delimiting characteristics

Good practices (also known as “4 rules of logic”)- Definitions must be concise- Do not define a concept with unknown concepts, do not paraphrase -The term designating the concept to be defined cannot appear in the definition (circular definition)- The term designating the concept and the concept’s definition must be equally broad

Deficient definitions- Incomplete (too narrow, too broad): clarifications may be included in accompanying notes- Improper negative definitions ISO 704, 2000

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Definitions: sources, comparisons (1)

• advection (a physical phenomenon): definition sources– Google command “define: advection”

• <meteorology> the horizontal transfer of heat or other atmospheric propertieswordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

– Textbooks (“Groundwater” by Freeze & Cherry, 1979)• process by which solutes are transported by the bulk motion of

the flowing groundwater

• advection: suggested definition• <contaminant hydrology> mechanical phenomenon of solute

transport due to the bulk motion of the flowing groundwater

Meanings differ among subject fields!

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Definitions: sources, comparisons (2)• air sparging (a remediation method for contaminated

groundwater): definition sources– www.iso.org: search for standards with keywords “terms”,

“vocabulary”, “definitions” or by technical committee• introduction of air under pressure in groundwater ISO 11074 (2005) Soil quality – Vocabulary (prepared by ISO/TC 190)

– Google command “define: air sparging”• in air sparging, air is injected into the ground below a contaminated

area, forming bubbles that rise and carry trapped and dissolved contaminants to the surface

http://www.brownfieldstsc.org/glossary.cfm?q=1

• air sparging: suggested definition• introduction of air in groundwater under pressure and flow rate

suitable for the removal of volatile contaminants through vaporization NOTE Air sparging also enhances to a lesser extent biodegradation of contaminants.

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7 criteria for a good term• Transparency

– to make the term transparent, a delimiting characteristic is used to create the term (chalk board vs blackboard)

• Consistency – within a concept system (nylon, orlon, dacron, rayon)

• Appropriateness– adhere to establish patterns, avoid confusion (atomic energy vs nuclear energy)

• Linguistic economy– term bank vs terminological data bank

• Derivability and compoundability– herb vs medicinal plant (herbaceous, herbal, herbalist, herbology)

• Linguistic correctness– ιοντισμός EL vs ιονισμός EL (<ionization EN)

• Preference for native language– λογισμικό EL (<logiciel FR) vs software EN

ISO 704, 2000

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Application of principles

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Discussion on terms & definitions in own language

BBC: Sept. 9, 20079/11 Demolition theory challengedkathimerini.gr - Καθημερινή: 11 Σεπτ. 2007Ανατρέπεται η θεωρία κατάρρευσης των Δίδυμων Πύργων

Μια νέα ανάλυση της κατάρρευσης των κτιρίων του Παγκόσμιου Κέντρου Εμπορίου έρχεται να αμφισβητήσει τις θεωρίες συνωμοσίας των επιθέσεων της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου. Η μελέτη ενός μηχανικού του πανεπιστημίου του Κέμπριτζ [...]

Ο Δρ. Σέφεν, χρησιμοποιώντας μαθηματικούς υπολογισμούς κατάφερε να υπολογίσει την κατάλοιπη ικανότητα του υπόλοιπου κτιρίου. Δηλαδή, την ικανότητα του ανέπαφου από τη ζημιά κτιρίου να αντέξει την πλήρη κατάρρευση.

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Discussion on term rendering from source language (english) to target language of

home institutionBBC: Sept. 9, 20079/11 Demolition theory challengedkathimerini.gr - Καθημερινή: 11 Σεπτ. 2007Ανατρέπεται η θεωρία κατάρρευσης των Δίδυμων Πύργων

Ο Δρ. Σέφεν, χρησιμοποιώντας μαθηματικούς υπολογισμούς κατάφερε να υπολογίσει την «κατάλοιπη ικανότητα»* του υπόλοιπου κτιρίου. Δηλαδή, την ικανότητα του ανέπαφου από τη ζημιά κτιρίου να αντέξει την πλήρη κατάρρευση.

Dr Seffen was able to calculate the "residual capacity" of the undamaged building: that is, simply speaking, the ability of the undamaged structure to resist or comply with collapse.

* υπολειπόμενη φέρουσα ικανότητα (term indicated by field expert)

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Resources (1)

• Terminology– Online tutorial on Terminology, Termium Plus (The

Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic databank)

• http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/didacticiel_tutorial/english/lesson1/index_e.html

– ISO committee for terminology TC 37 & related standards – ASTM committee for terminology E02 & related standards– National committees for terminology (located through the

national standards body, in turn located through ISO)• www.iso.org/iso/about/iso_members.htm

– Plato, Cratylus (dialogue on whether name giving is arbitrary or conveys meaning)

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Resources (2)• Technical terms

– Glossaries prepared by technical committees• ISO technical committees

– http://www.iso.org/iso/standards_development/technical_committees/list_of_iso_technical_committees.htm

• Committees under the national standards body– http://www.elot.gr/committee.htm (for Greece)

– Multilingual terminology databases• IATE (InterActive Terminology for Europe)

– iate.europa.eu• Termium Plus (English and French, includes definitions)

– http://btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng• Subject specific, e.g. environment

– www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/

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Summary

• Informed choices of terms are made when: – corresponding concepts are fully specified

• a concept is fully specified with a definition and its position in a concept system

– existing glossaries are consulted– principles for term rendering are observed

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Assignment

• Consider a couple excerpts with highlighted terms

• You are asked to:– search for and evaluate definitions of terms– evaluate terms in own language

NOTE: use suggested resources for the evaluation, search for additional ones

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Assignment example

NYTimes: April 13, 2009Earthquakes’ Many Mysteries Stymie Efforts to Predict ThemΚαθημερινή: 18 Απρ. 2009Πρόγνωση σεισμών, ραδόνιο και ανθρώπινες «παρεμβάσεις»

This gap in knowledge makes earthquake prediction a frustrating and chancy exercise, and complicates the effort to calculate the risk that a human construction like a water reservoir or a geothermal power plant could inadvertently set off a deadly quake.

Το γνωστικό αυτό κενό καθιστά την πρόγνωση σεισμού μια δύσκολη και επίπονη άσκηση. Επιπλέον, δυσχεραίνει την προσπάθεια υπολογισμού του ρίσκου που έχει μια ανθρώπινη κατασκευή, η οποία είτε ως υδροταμιευτήρας είτε ως γεωθερμικό εργοστάσιο παραγωγής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας θα μπορούσε -λόγω παραλείψεων- να προκαλέσει έναν σεισμό.

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Acknowledgements

• The seminar was developed by Marina Pantazidou (mpanta@central.ntua.gr), Assistant Professor at the National Technical University at Athens (NTUA) based on material prepared by Kostas Valeontis (valeonti@otenet.gr), President of the Hellenic Society for Terminology (ELETO)

• Both are members of ELOT TC21 National Technical Committee, mirror to ISO TC37

• Both welcome comments and are available for questions