Topic

Technical Vocabulary

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this topic, you should be able to: 1. Differentiate between highly technical and semi-technical vocabulary; 2. Explain the formation of technical words in relation to affixes; and 3. Describe ways to explain difficult scientific and technical concepts to lay readers.

INTRODUCTION

The language of scientific and technical journals is not all that different from everyday language but still presents many readers with a number of specific problems. Understanding scientific and technical texts requires special background knowledge and, more often than not, a specific technical vocabulary.

6.1

LEXICON MATTERS

Many of the words that you use in modern science and technical studies exhibit special lexical or vocabulary features. These features can be classified generally as highly technical vocabulary and sub-technical vocabulary. Let us now examine these two features in greater detail.

6.1.1

Highly Technical Vocabulary

Some fields have specialised knowledge, requiring the use of highly technical terms. Although these terms constitute an essential part of the learning of the

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discipline itself, the need to be able to comprehend and use these terms usually arises during specialised training and not in language classes. However, there may be times when you need to be familiar with the technical elements and scientific vocabulary in a subject.

SELF-CHECK 6.1
Make a list of 10 highly technical words frequently used in your field of study. Have a friend who is not in your field of study guess the meaning of the words.

If you are interested in expanding your scientific and technical vocabulary, you might consider using specialised dictionaries in your field such as A Dictionary of Computing, A Dictionary of Mathematics or A Dictionary of Scientific Communication. However, these specialised dictionaries tend to leave out words considered as semi-scientific or semi-technical vocabulary.

6.1.2

Semi-scientific or Semi-technical Vocabulary

Semi-technical vocabulary comprises words which are not specific to a subject speciality but which occur regularly in scientific and technical texts, for example, employ, adopt, reflection, intense, accumulate, tendency and isolate. This class of vocabulary can sometimes pose problems because the words may mean one thing in a general context but take on a different meaning within a scientific and technical context. Take the word critical, for instance, In general English, critical is usually associated with a decisive point or stage and therefore means important or serious: Examples: (a) (b) The sick man is going through a crisis. He is in a critical condition. There is a political crisis. The political situation is critical.

In technical English, one common meaning of critical is a decisive point in temperature, pressure or angle at which something is about to happen:

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Examples: (a) (b)

The critical temperature of a gas: Above this temperature it cannot be liquefied by pressure. The critical temperature of steel: Above or below this temperature, the molecular structure changes.

So, you have to orient yourself to the possibility of a different meaning that a word takes on when reading a technical text. Now, try the following exercise to help you understand this lesson.

ACTIVITY 6.1
Consider the words resistance and value. Study the sentences below: 1. Resistance (a) General English: He tried to introduce computing to the old folks but is meeting resistance. Technical English: The design of the ship has managed to reduce the effects of wind resistance and drag.

(b)

2.

Value (a) (b) General English: The value of the property is $1.5 million. Technical English: The velocity of flow is reduced to a negligible value.

Can you guess the meanings of resistance and value from the sentences provided as they appear in the two different contexts?

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6.2

FORMATION OF TECHNICAL WORDS

Knowledge about the way in which scientific and technical words are formed helps us to understand the meaning of new technical words. The commonest method of forming scientific and technical terms is to use Latin or Greek roots together with affixes. These can be either prefixes or suffixes. Words such as hyper-, neo and mono- are known as prefixes because they appear before a root word. Words such as -logy and -ate are known as suffixes because they appear after a root word. Knowing the meaning of affixes will enable you to guess the meaning of a word. Certain affixes have contributed to a large number of different terms and have established themselves as basic units in word formation. We will look at a selection of such affixes and how they contribute to the meaning of the word.

6.2.1
x x x (a) -ics;

Suffixes

Let us look at three common suffixes in scientific and technical vocabulary:

-scope; and -itis. The suffix -ics is often used to indicate a field of knowledge or science. Look at the following words: (i) (ii) Economics The study of the way in which the financial industry and trade are organised in a society. Thermodynamics The branch of physics concerned with the relationship between heat and other forms of energy.

(iii) Mechanics The part of physics that deals with the natural forces that act on moving or stationary objects. (iv) Acoustics The scientific study of sound. (b) Another suffix, scope, means an instrument for viewing in French. For example, telescope

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(c)

Finally, the suffix itis usually refers to an inflammation of some sort.

Examples:
(i) (ii) dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin. laryngitis refers to inflammation of the larynx.

6.2.2

Numeral Prefixes

Numbers abound in scientific and technical texts. Understanding numeral prefixes helps in deciphering the meaning of technical words. For example, the word diameter refers to a line that cuts a circle in half (the prefix di means two). Monochrome means one colour (the prefix mono means one). The prefix helps you in understanding the word. Read and understand the meanings of the prefixes shown in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1: Examples of Numeral Prefixes mega kilo centi deca octa hexa penta quad/tetra tri duo/di/bi uni/mono 1000 000 1000 100 10 8 6 5 4 3 2 1

A word of caution: Be careful to avoid over-generalisation. For example, having learnt that pre means before, one might apply the rule to inappropriate examples. Pretense, for example, might be misconstrued as before a tense.

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Do the following exercise before moving on to the next sub-topic.

ACTIVITY 6.2
The following are words with the suffix -scope. Explain the meaning of these words without consulting a dictionary. 1. microscope, kaleidoscope, oscilloscope, telescope 2. Do a word analysis of appendicitis, bronchitis and tonsilitis. Do not be tempted to use a dictionary. 3. Form five words by combining the root word provided in the table below with either a prefix or suffix. Use the meaning of the affixes provided below to help you in your selection.

Hint: Look out for affixes that suggest the meanings below:
beneath to make, to become the opposite very small without
Prefix (a) sub(b) in(c) dis(d) micro (e) unRoot word merge liquid connect second motion -tion -ify -ology -y -less Suffix

6.3
6.3.1

WRITING FOR SPECIALIST AND NON-SPECIALIST READERS

When writing for specialists, do not over explain. This means do not define, illustrate, paraphrase, exemplify or otherwise explain concepts the reader is likely to be already familiar with. Instead, simply refer to such concepts with the

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standard terminology of the field. Part of what it means to be a specialist in a given field is to know the standard technical terminology in that field.

6.3.2

Non-specialist Readers

When writing for non-specialists, be sure to clarify and explain the important technical concepts in your text. There are several ways to do this. Visuals, of course, should be used whenever the concept is suited to visual representation (please refer to Topic 5). However, if a concept is too abstract to be represented visually, you have to look out for other ways to get your message across. (a) Exemplification Citing specific examples of a concept is one of the most powerful means you can use to help the non-specialist reader visualise the concept. This method uses an example, or series of examples, to support or clarify a point. Look at the example below:

Web page designers must never include more than one or two page elements that move constantly. Moving images have an overpowering effect on vision and distract the viewer from observing other elements. Some instances of misused moving elements include animated graphics, blinking text and scrolling marquees.
It is also useful to recognise exemplification when reading a text. Look out for words which signal exemplification, or transitional structures, such as the ones below: (i) (ii) To illustrate ... Another illustration of ...

(iii) A case in point is ... (iv) Here are a few examples ... (v) For instance, ...

(vi) Another instance of ... (vii) For example, ... (viii) Another example of ... (ix) (x) Some instances ... One such in particular ...

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(xi)

Yet another ...

(xii) One illustration of this idea ... (b) Analogy Analogies help to explain an unfamiliar concept by highlighting its similarities to another concept which is familiar to you. They are especially useful in situations where the new concept is so unfamiliar that you simply cannot think of any example which can help explain it. For example, electricity may be very difficult for some people to understand. You cannot see, feel, taste or smell it. Drawing an analogy between electricity and water would be useful to promote understanding (see Figure 6.1). For example, fluid flowing through a system of pipes can behave in many respects like electricity flowing in a circuit.

Figure 6.1: Use of analogy to explain difficult concepts

The obvious exception to this is that if you pierce a pipe full of water, the water rushes out. Try piercing the insulation and touching the conductor: you will also find the electricity coming out! The difference is, water will fill any space whereas electricity will fill only a conductor. The analogy is thus not perfect but it is helpful. Remember that when we use analogies, understanding comes not only from similarities but also from differences. (c) Paraphrasing using substitute words Paraphrases are useful in precisely the opposite situation where the concept is familiar to the reader but only if restated in more recognisable terms. Paraphrases have a distinct advantage over examples and analogies in that they usually take less space; sometimes even a one-word paraphrase will accomplish the purpose. We will talk about substitute words which can sometimes replace semi-technical words.

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Since scientific and technical texts usually abound in technical terms, it is helpful to use shorter and simpler words whenever possible. Let us look at some examples of substitute words. Using substitute words instead of technical words can sometimes enhance your understanding, as shown in Table 6.2.
Table 6.2: Examples of Technical Words and Substitute Words Technical words 1. ambulate 2. bacteria 3. coronary thrombosis 4. demonstrate 5. incision 6. saturate Substitute words walk germs heart attack show cut soak

(d)

Definitions Definitions are a familiar way of explicating new concepts. They are not fixed indications of meaning. Defining a word involves giving its limits as a sign or symbol, usually by explaining to the reader how we use the word. Signal words or indicator words such as the following will help you to recognise definitions in a text. (i) (ii)

means is

(iii) signifies (iv) denotes (v)

can be taken to mean

(vi) can be interpreted as (vii) is defined as Various ways of defining an object, mechanism, procedure or process have been discussed and explored in Topic 1. You have looked at ways to write for specialist and non-specialist readers. Test your understanding by participating in the following activity.

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ACTIVITY 6.3
1. Using the key points below, construct a paragraph to show exemplification. Use the transitional structures we talked about earlier. Installation of NT Server The installation of the NT Server is the same as for the NT Workstation with a few exceptions. During installation, 2. Choose the role of NT Server; Server, PDC or BCD Choose to install Internet Information Server Choose a licence mode

Look in your books. Search for other indicator words for definitions besides the ones given above.

6.3.3

Mixed Audience

Addressing a mixed audience is challenging but you can do a few things. You may produce two separate pieces of writing or a single piece with two parts to it, so that each group of readers can be addressed with appropriate terminology. Alternatively, you might stick to a single text but briefly define the technical terms as you go along. One way of doing this is to insert a short but familiar paraphrase within parentheses immediately after each technical term. For example, use a substitute word for helical (spiral). You have reached the end of this topic. Before proceeding to the next topic, do the following exercise to check your understanding of what has been discussed so far.

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ACTIVITY 6.4
1. Match each word with its meaning.
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) tripartite kilocycle pentagon quadruple decalitre octogenarian hexangular (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) made of four parts 10 litres of an age from 80 to 89 in which three parties have a share five-sided figure having six angles having 1000 cycles

2.

Write substitute words for the following technical words. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) palatable ______________________________________ termination______________________________________ recuperate ______________________________________ rehabilitate______________________________________ segment ______________________________________ sensation ______________________________________ sufficient ______________________________________ sustenance ______________________________________ sutures ______________________________________ technicality_____________________________________

x x x x

Highly technical and semi-technical vocabulary are words that we use in writing or oral presentations. We must be very careful when choosing the words as we need to ensure that our target audience can understand what we say. Every subject has a set of highly technical terms which are an essential part of learning the discipline itself. Semi-technical vocabulary consists of words which are not specific to a subject speciality but which occur regularly in scientific and technical texts.

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x x x x x

It is very important for us to identify our target audience to gauge whether they are specialists or non-specialists in the area or field we are presenting in. A knowledge of the way in which scientific and technical words are formed helps us to understand the meaning of technical words. The most common method of forming science and technical terms is to use Latin or Greek roots together with affixes. Hyper, neo and mono are known as prefixes because they appear before the root word. -ics, -scope, -itis are known as suffixes because they appear after the root word.

Affixes Analogy Exemplification Highly technical vocabulary

Prefixes Semi-scientific vocabulary Semi-technical vocabulary Suffixes