Terminologization

The terminologization of a word from the LGP inventory implies endowing the word in question with a specific meaning which corresponds to a specific concept within a special subject field. In this way the word acquires the status and characteristics of a term, i.e. it now belongs to a subject field and is a part of the system of terms. This process takes place without changing the semantic value which the word has in LGP. The semantic change may be of varying degree, in some cases barely perceptible, in others the "signified" becomes almost completely different. However, on the surface level (the linguistic realization, the sign) no change is visible.

E.g., restoration – action and effect of restoring or repairing a building, etc.;

Restoration – event or period of history;

restoration (theology) – universalism.

The terminologization process may lead to certain changes, e.g. in the pluralization of uncountables (oil – oils), neutralization of the comparative in German, etc.

Another aspect of terminilogization concerns metaphor and metonymy which lead to polysemy, i.e. the conservation of the few characteristics which serve as “bridge” between the word or term and the new term. E.g. foot – part of the body; measure of length; base; foot of a page; foot of a line; foot of a bed.

Derivation

One of the most productive methods of term formation. Apart from the familiar elements of derivation found in LGP and adopted in LSP, there is a large number of derivational elements peculiar to one specific subject field, e.g. –itis (= inflammation) in medicine.

The derivational elements vary greatly in both form and meaning according to the language although some reveal an international character, such as non-, trans-, anti-, pseudo-, inter-, etc. These examples are based on Greek and Latin and are the largest group of derivational elements.

Conversion

Conversion implies a shift in word class. This may entail semantic changes. The mechanism may contribute to the reduction of the denotational deficit. E.g., constant – the constant; variable – the variable.

Names which retain their nominal category constitute a special group; although proper nouns become common nouns, e.g., Celsius – celsius; Hertz – hertz (megahertz).

Loan Words

The importation of loan-words occurs in response to a demand for the expression of a concept which in many cases originated in other country. Both concept and term are imported. The foreign term can be adopted without modification (e.g., Eng. lieder – Germ. Lieder); the spelling of the foreign term can be modified (e.g., Eng. leader – Sp. líder); the elements are translated one by one (calque) (e.g., Eng. air-conditioner – Sp. aire acondicionado). The alien flavour of the term disappears more or less rapidly in accordance with the method and degree of assimilation.

Compression

Special languages can also create new forms by compressing existing long terms in various ways. Compression has the dual function of providing shorter forms of expression for frequently used terms and new exclusive names for long forms that might not be understood as terminological units.

The most common type of compression is the creation of acronyms from initial letters of longer words. The names of many institutions are abbreviated forms, some of which have taken over so completely that the full form is practically never used (e.g. UNESCO, NATO, ISO, DOS, laser) which have evolved to such an extent that they have virtually become letter words, i.e. their pronunciation is like that of any other word.

Another frequent and highly productive method is clipping or shortening in which syllables or letters are omitted from any part of the word (e.g. maths, lab, vet, intercom). A shortened form of an extremely long complex term can be introduced that uses fewer words (e.g. Group of Twenty-four = Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-four on International Monetary Affairs).

Initialisms are created by using the first letter (or sound) of each term element to form a designation. Initialisms are pronounced by spelling out the letters (U.N., a.m., PC).

Mixed forms. Some abbreviated forms function either as initialisms or acronyms depending on the speaker’s preference or regional conventions (e.g. ISO, NASA).

Abbreviations proper are created by omitting parts of a word or of the words making up a term. In some cases the first letter of a word will suffice. In others the first letters of short phrases are grouped together. Precise rules are difficult to state because many well established abbreviations represent long-standing conventions for which there is no stated rule (e.g. p. = page, etc. =et cetera, v. = volume, abbr. = abbreviation).

A particular case is that of blending, i.e. compounding and simultaneous clipping (e.g. stagnation + inflation = stagflation, biological + electronic = bionic). Blends are pronounced as ordinary words but at least one word-element larger than a single letter is included to form the abbreviated from (e.g. ALGOL = algorithmic language, radar = radio detecting and ranging). This type of new terms creation is extremely characteristic of LSP (e.g., Eng. International Information Centre for Terminology – Infoterm; Germ. Stadtbahn – S-Bahn).

Examples of its terminological productivity: Eng. LCD – LCD-addict; motor – motorist, to motor, motor accident, motoring holiday.