Review article

Standardization of medical language

Anamarija Gjuran-Coha ; Department of social sciences, Faculty of medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

Every language is a multiple system which includes different forms of linguistic reality.
According to one of Languages for Specific Purposes (LSP) definitions it implies a language
aimed at satisfying some professional needs. LSP is the result of communication
needs of professionals using the language. Languages for Specific Purposes are codes different
from the standard language, which have their rules. Some of the features of LSP include
specific vocabulary and certain grammatical and lexical means. Everyday language cannot
satisfy all the needs so loan words as well as loan translations are widely accepted. Medical
language does not differ form other LSP as its vocabulary is based on certain principles.
The aim of this paper is to analyze the standardization of medical terminology based on
principles which will serve as a guideline for doctors and linguists in their common attempts
to standardize medical language in order to avoid misunderstandings. The corpus is based
on scientific, professional and popular articles and the analysis will show to which extent
medical language is affected by the norms.

Keywords

LSP; norms and principles; standardization; terminology

Hrčak ID:

66073

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/66073

Publication date:

7.3.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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