Language Planning and Terminology Management: Case Study of Medical Terminology in Jordan

D Hussein Abdo M. Rababah  © by the authors

ISBN: 978-1-940366-09-8
Published Date: May, 2014
Pages: 229
Paperback: $99
E-book: $39
Publisher: Science Publishing Group
To purchase hard copies of this book, please email: book@sciencepublishinggroup.com
Book Description

Language planning and medical terminology management in Jordan is investigated as a case study, both qualitatively and quantitatively, from the perspective of general language planning and terminology management theories and principles. English is the communicative and professional medical language in Jordan. Medical staff often switch from English to Arabic and vice versa. Arabic medical terminology, which is important for patient communication, is not properly standardized. There is more than one Arabic medical equivalent for the same medical concept, which causes ambiguity and confusion to language users. The assumption of this study is that Arabic medical terms are available, but they are not well disseminated. Code switching, bilingualism, euphemism, dysphemism, synonymy, term formation are discussed in their relation to language planning and terminology management.

The methodology includes attitudinal questionnaires for investigating medical language users’ opinions and attitudes towards terminology management, a translation form for evaluating the mechanisms for spreading Arabic medical terminology, a survey of medical dictionaries for the availability of Arabic medical terminology, and interviews with the people responsible for language planning and terminology management. The expected benefits of having a standardized and disseminated Arabic medical terminology include the enhancement of communication between health care providers and users, the facilitation of the translation process, the transfer of medical knowledge to Jordan, an increase in the health awareness of people, and improving the education of medical related careers. The research concludes that there is no organized strategy for innovating and disseminating medical terminology in Jordan. The subjects are generally in favour of keeping English as the medical language as well as having a standardised and disseminated Arabic medical terminology. A practical stategy is proposed, and the terminology committee is recommended to appoint a Medical Terminology Monitor and a Liaison Person.

Author Introduction

D Hussein Abdo M. Rababah, Al- Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University- KSA, College of Languages and Translation.

Table of Contents
  • Front Matter

  • Chapter 1 Introduction

    1. 1.1 Statement of the Problem
    2. 1.2 Significance of the Study
  • Chapter 2 Language Planning

    1. 2.1 Definition of the Term 'Language Planning'
    2. 2.2 Language Planning/Management Models
    3. 2.3 Levels of Language Planning/Management
    4. 2.4 Aspects of Language Planning/Management
    5. 2.4.1 Status Language Planning/Management
    6. 2.4.2 Corpus Language Planning/Management
    7. 2.4.3 Language Acquisition
    8. 2.4.4 Prestige and Stigmatisation
    9. 2.5 Language Planner/ Manager
    10. 2.6 Language Planning/Management Committee
    11. 2.7 Language Planning/Management Goals
    12. 2.8 Motives (factors) for Language Planning/Management
    13. 2.9 Language Planning/Management in Jordan
    14. 2.9.1 The Sociolinguistic Structure of Jordan
    15. 2.9.2 Language Planning/Management Process in Jordan
  • Chapter 3 Terminology Management

    1. 3.1 Definition of Related Terms
    2. 3.1.1 Definition of 'Term'
    3. 3.1.2 Definition of 'Concept'
    4. 3.1.3 Definition of 'Terminology'
    5. 3.1.4 Definition of 'Terminology Management'
    6. 3.1.5 Definition of 'Medical Language'
    7. 3.2 The theory of Terminology
    8. 3.3 The Terminologist
    9. 3.4 The Schools of Terminology
    10. 3.5 The Functions of the Terminology Committee
    11. 3.6 Term Formation
    12. 3.6.1 Techniques of Term Formation in English
    13. 3.6.2 Techniques of Term Formation in Arabic
    14. 3.7 Criteria of a Good Term
    15. 3.8 Principles of Innovating Terms in Arabic
    16. 3.9 Standardization of Terms
    17. 3.10 Factors that Affect Terminology Management
    18. 3.11 Terminology and LSP (Language for Specific Purposes)
  • Chapter 4 Medical Terminology Management in Jordan

    1. 4.1 Medical Language in Jordan
    2. 4.2 The Arabic Medical Language Community in Jordan
    3. 4.2.1 Bilingualism
    4. 4.2.2 Diglossia
    5. 4.2.3 Code Switching
    6. 4.3 The Medical Dictionaries and the Availability of Arabic Medical Terminology
    7. 4.4 The Prevalence of Synonymy in Arabic Medical Dictionaries
    8. 4.5 The Present Status of Medical Terminology Management in Jordan
    9. 4.5.1 The Present Strategy for Producing Terms
    10. 4.5.2 The Acceptance of the Community
    11. 4.5.3 The Future Plan of the Academy
  • Chapter 5 Methodology

    1. 5.1 Introduction
    2. 5.2 Objectives or Purposes of the Study
    3. 5.3 Population of the Study
    4. 5.4 The Sample
    5. 5.4.1 Interviews
    6. 5.4.2 The Attitudinal Questionnaire Sample
    7. 5.4.3 The Sample for Evaluating the Mechanism for Spreading Arabic Medical Terminology
    8. 5.5 Data Collection Instrument
    9. 5.6 Data Analysis
    10. 5.7 Administration of the Study
    11. 5.8 Limitations of the Study
  • Chapter 6 Findings and Data Analysis

    1. 6.1 Investigating the Assumption of the Research
    2. 6.2 The Importance of and Need for Having English as the Medical Language
    3. 6.3 The Need for and Importance of Arabic Medical Terminology
    4. 6.3.1 The Capability of Arabic
    5. 6.3.2 Standardization of Arabic Medical Terminology
    6. 6.3.3 The Dissemination of Arabic Medical Terminology
    7. 6.3.4 Areas of Dissemination of Arabic Medical Terminology
    8. 6.3.5 Means of Dissemination of Arabic Medical Terminology
    9. 6.4 Motives for Code Switching in the Medical Field
  • Chapter 7 Conclusions and Recommendations

    1. 7.1 Conclusions of the Study
    2. 7.2 The Suggested Strategy for Disseminating Medical Terms
    3. 7.2.1 Suggested Procedures to be Carried Out by the Academy
    4. 7.2.2 Suggested Procedures that are Beyond the Academy's Responsibility
  • Back Matter