Terminology Resources & Principles

1. 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

2. Terminology: interface between knowledge and language endlessly via Terms Knowledge develops and enriches Language endlessly via Terms Language describes and conveys Knowledge

3. 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 languages Schmitz, 2006, Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics

4. 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

5. 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

6. An introduction to the basic elements

7. 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

8. The terminology triangle unit of knowledge* created by a unique combination of characteristics 2.concept general: refers to a class of objects (cable bridge) individual: refers to an individual object (Golden Gate bridge) 3.term 1. object verbal designation of a general concept in a specific subject field 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

9. The three basic players of terminology unit of knowledge created by a unique combination of characteristics 2. concept definition our minds characteristics communication reality 1. object 3. term verbal designation of a general concept in a specific subject field anything perceivable or conceivable

10. When/how do terminology needs come up?

11. context (subject field) objects linguistic/mental plane characteristics definition concept designation (term)Χ Terminology need: an unknown term initially known to me Most common need: designation (term) definition*  concept– What does X mean?– Χ is … (the definition through selected characteristics makes the concept known) *sources of definitions?

12. Examples of unknown terms (1/3) advection caisson air sparging

13. 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

14. Examples of unknown terms (3/3) to be defined later… • 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

15. context (subject field) objects linguistic/mental plane characteristics definition concept designation (term) Χ Terminology need: how should we call it? (1) initiallyknown to all 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

16. Choice among “similar” terms • Choice between common engineering terms (in alphabetical order): • coefficient • constant • factor • index • parameter • How “similar” are thecorresponding 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!

17. Terminology need: how should we call it? (2) context (subject field) objects linguistic/mental plane characteristics definition concept designation (term) Χ initiallyknown to all Need for a code term:objects characteristics concept  definition designation– I need to refer to a concept (in order to facilitate communicationwithin my research group)– I select a definition (use sources, consider guidelines for a good definition) and we agree to call it X

18. 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”)

19. context (subject field) objects linguistic/mental plane characteristics definition concept designation (term) Χ Source Language Terminology need: Discovery studied created discovered 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. Need: Term rendering from source language MUST be available at a minimum! Consider good practices for term rendering

23. Back to terminology basics

24. 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

25. 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, …)

26. 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)

27. 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

28. Concept system example: contaminant hydrology sorption: binding of dissolved substances to soil constituents adsorption: sorption to the surface of soil particles

29. Concept system example: structures (bridges no 1) Concept systems are not unique, hence can be improved. Any suggestions?

30. Concept system example: structures (bridges no 2) bridge (material) (use) (load transfer mechanism) truss bridge pedestrian bridge fiber - reinforced railw ay polymer rope bridge bridge bridge conventional bridge road timber (horizontal main girders) steel - concrete bridge bridge composite br idge underbridge overbridge arch cable bridge overpass bridge concrete masonry steel cable stayed bridge suspension bridge bridge bridge bridge Note: Generic relations (genus - species relations) are shown with tree - like structures 30

31. Guidelines for a good definition • A definition is valid if it can replace a term in a text without loss of or change in meaning • It 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

32. Definitions: sources, comparisons (1) • advection (a physical phenomenon): definition sources • Google command “define: advection” • <meteorology> the horizontal transfer of heat or other atmospheric properties wordnet.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!

33. 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.

34. 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

35. Application of principles

36. Discussion on terms & definitions in own language BBC: Sept. 9, 2007 9/11 Demolition theory challenged kathimerini.gr - Καθημερινή: 11 Σεπτ. 2007 Ανατρέπεται 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.

37. Discussion on term rendering from source language (english) to target language of home institution BBC: Sept. 9, 2007 9/11 Demolition theory challenged kathimerini.gr - Καθημερινή: 11 Σεπτ. 2007 Ανατρέπεται η θεωρία κατάρρευσης των Δίδυμων Πύργων 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. 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. *υπολειπόμενη φέρουσα ικανότητα (term indicated by field expert)

38. 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)

39. 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/

40. 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

41. 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

42. Assignment example NYTimes: April 13, 2009 Earthquakes’ Many Mysteries Stymie Efforts to Predict Them Καθημερινή: 18 Απρ. 2009 Πρόγνωση 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.

43. 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