The same word (e.g. adaptation) often has different meanings across science disciplines. Does imprecision in definition or use of science terminology result from that fact that scientists are not (always) language specialists?
English and scientific usage is dictated by practice, not by the Academy. Sadly this means that researchers may simultaneously seize on the same term to mean something different. It is therefore really the duty of the researchers to clearly define the meaning of words they are introducing. This is not always done because "that's the way we all use the word in this field", or "that's the way my predecessor used the word."
The best researchers are experts at language, but e.g., for many researchers, English is a second language, for whom a language consultant could help.
If we look in a dictionary, the same word can have different meanings even in 'correct' English.
Sure, and how is the reader expected to know which meaning applies, unless the researcher tells the reader? The reader may guess wrong, even though the reader knows the context. (physiology, novels, environment...)
Should the definition of science terminology result from interactions between scientists and language specialists?
Ideally, the scientist should have some big amount of verbal intelligence on Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence. Besides English, a scientist can pick up some Greek, Latin etc, can't s/he?
Scientists should have some big amounts of verbal intelligence, but in practice this is apparently often not the case. Mental abilities of 'intelligence' can be expressed in many ways, and the different ways of mental expression are probably not always strongly correlated across individuals. This is obvious when an English top scientist would be asked to write a paper in Chinese or some other language he/she does not master (very well).
Thanks Marcel for this question. Allow me to share with you something related, concerning the implementation of T&L of Sc and Math in my country over the past few years. The Malay acronym is PPSMI. English teachers were roped is as 'critical friends' to help the Sc and Math teachers (called 'Buddies').
The English teachers were able to help with right pronunciation, and the key terms, but there were certain areas they couldn't help much, because many weren't from a science background. So PPSMI was discontinued in schools, but still continues at Pre-university/ Matriculation.
Hello Miranda,
I agree that someone can fully master English (e.g. professional translators), but not enough to transmit scientific ideas or concepts. As I said, one word in a dictionary can have different meanings, so there is still the option to make to good or wrong choice of translation.
In how many cases scientists invented new words not involving language specialists?
Yes, Marcel, this is right;
'someone can fully master English (e.g. professional translators), but not enough to transmit scientific ideas or concepts'.
Unfortunately the wrong use of linking words caused the ideas to be transmitted wrongly :((
When the 'buddies' come to me to voice their unhappiness, the problem returns to me. I ask these buddies to do their best to master English, then they can express the science concepts well :)
I think one universal language is necessary to convey the right scientific meanings. What is the use, if you have great contributions towards science and you can't get them through to people, just because of language inhibition ? So apart from which language it is, one correct language should be chosen, which can be understood by majority of the people.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Philosophy
- Philosophy Of Science