Cabre
Theories of terminology
Their description, prescription and explanation
M. Teresa Cabré Castellví
During the past decade, the theory of terminology has been a subject of debate in various circles. This article examines some of the reasons why this topic has been receiving so much interest lately. I will first discuss the theory developed by Wüster and analyse the motivations behind his model. Then, I will explain why the Wüsterian theory was not questioned or challenged for a long time. This will lead us to the reasons why so many critical voices have been raised recently, both from inside traditional viewpoints and outside. I will also look at the reception these new ideas have had in terminology circles. Finally, I will present my own definition of a theory of terminology, by examining important issues such a theory should take into account and see what I can offer to this debate. Keywords: theory of terminology, history of terminology, General Theory of Terminology, Communicative Theory of Terminology
Introduction
It is surprising that after many years of inactivity in terminological theory all of a sudden there has been a rush of critiques of established principles and suggestions proposing new alternatives to the traditional theory. This movement is evidenced by several seminars, organised in 2003, devoted to reestablishing the foundations of a theory of terminology on its own or in contrast to linguistics or lexicography, in particular the Workshop on Theory of Terminology at the International Congress of Linguists in Prague, the XIVth European LSP Symposium in Surrey, a Colloquium about Terminology as a Scientific Discipline in Paris, a Round Table on theory of terminology at the Congress of the Portuguese Association of Linguistics in Lisbon and a seminar
Terminology 9:2 (2003), 163–199. issn 0929–9971 / e-issn 1569–9994 © John Benjamins Publishing Company
164 M. Teresa Cabré Castellví
on terminology and lexicography convened by the European
Their description, prescription and explanation
M. Teresa Cabré Castellví
During the past decade, the theory of terminology has been a subject of debate in various circles. This article examines some of the reasons why this topic has been receiving so much interest lately. I will first discuss the theory developed by Wüster and analyse the motivations behind his model. Then, I will explain why the Wüsterian theory was not questioned or challenged for a long time. This will lead us to the reasons why so many critical voices have been raised recently, both from inside traditional viewpoints and outside. I will also look at the reception these new ideas have had in terminology circles. Finally, I will present my own definition of a theory of terminology, by examining important issues such a theory should take into account and see what I can offer to this debate. Keywords: theory of terminology, history of terminology, General Theory of Terminology, Communicative Theory of Terminology
Introduction
It is surprising that after many years of inactivity in terminological theory all of a sudden there has been a rush of critiques of established principles and suggestions proposing new alternatives to the traditional theory. This movement is evidenced by several seminars, organised in 2003, devoted to reestablishing the foundations of a theory of terminology on its own or in contrast to linguistics or lexicography, in particular the Workshop on Theory of Terminology at the International Congress of Linguists in Prague, the XIVth European LSP Symposium in Surrey, a Colloquium about Terminology as a Scientific Discipline in Paris, a Round Table on theory of terminology at the Congress of the Portuguese Association of Linguistics in Lisbon and a seminar
Terminology 9:2 (2003), 163–199. issn 0929–9971 / e-issn 1569–9994 © John Benjamins Publishing Company
164 M. Teresa Cabré Castellví
on terminology and lexicography convened by the European