Terminology planning : the contribution of the Jordan Academy of Arabic, with special reference to medical terminology

• Main Author: Bataineh, Moh'd Tawfiq
• Published: University of Salford 2011
• Subjects: 410
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.539136

This study illustrates the demand for Arabic terminology policy to provide the language with the necessary means to meet the new challenges to Arabic in the age of globalisation. It is part of the emergent literature on Arabic term innovation, the field in which most significant language planning and reforms are needed. The researcher highlights the contribution of the Jordan Academy of Arabic in lexical generation, the most significant activity of Arabic language planning. He investigates the language planning efforts of the Jordan Academy in lexical formation. The data for the quantitative analysis in this research is 861 medical terms sanctioned by the Jordan Academy. Before analysing the total data, the researcher investigates the work mechanism employed by the Jordan Academy in inventing and sanctioning terminology. He also investigates the terminological problems of Arabic. The analysis of the data shows which word-formation techniques the Jordan Academy has resorted to when inventing and sanctioning medical terms. All processes of lexical enhancement in Arabic including the controversial process of lexical borrowing have been employed by the Academy except blending. This study provides the foundation for further studies in Arabic terminology planning in particular, and Arabic language planning more generally.