Word Building, a Forgotten Element in Translation of Scientific and Technical Terms

Abstract

As a result of the industrial revolution and the numerous advances in science as well as the inventions and innovations achieved by human beings, a good deal of new words and terms have appeared to identify the new concepts. The newly coined words usually share the same origin with the place of science production. The development and propagation of new science in societies and countries are coincident with the spread of new words. This is where the languages and cultures of the science-consuming societies – including our country – are affected by the language and culture of the societies that have produced those scientific concepts. If the language and culture enjoy required richness and preparedness and follows a well-thought plan for embracing new science and dealing with the subsequent new words, the adverse influences can be reduced to the minimum possible level. The entry of Iran into the areas of nuclear industry and the transfer of nuclear science and technology is an obvious instance in this regard. The present paper looks at the necessity of adopting appropriate mechanisms for receiving and localizing science and relevant scientific and technical words; it then presents the solutions, suggestions and different viewpoints of the learned and the authorities in this regard.