Term lesson 20 Notes on standardization

Standards… and norms English distinguishes between norm : regularities of usage not included in the language system (Coseriu 1952, Sistema, norma y habla) standard : a document that establishes uniform engineering or technical specifications, criteria, methods, processes, or practices (from ISO)

Historical development "The measurement of ‘electrical resistance’ was expressed in no less than 15 different units [in the 19th century]; while the terms often revealed a certain similarity, the units of measurement showed pronounced diversity". Picht/Draskau 1985:24.

Aims of standardization "Through standardization are established binding conventions which have been elaborated and democratically agreed on. In the standards sizes, objects, principals, rules, etc. are regulated." Picht/Draskau 1985 : 178

Limits of standardization "Standardisation organisations are concerned primarily with the standardisation of objects or products. This is a social and economic activity and its achievements must be the outcome of the collaboration of all interested parties. The standardisation of terms always occurs subsequent to the standardisation of objects (often products). The publication of the standard has little value in itself: its application is all important." Temmerman 1998 : 23

International organisation International Standard Organization ISO established in 1947 non-government federation of national standards bodies from around 150 different countries

Some WGs in terminology ISO/TC 037 SC 01 "Principles and methods" ISO/TC 037/SC 01/WG 02 "Harmonization of terminology" ISO/TC 037/SC 01/WG 02 "Harmonization of terminology" ISO/TC 037/SC 01/WG 03 "Principles, methods and vocabulary" ISO/TC 037/SC 01/WG 03 "Principles, methods and vocabulary" ISO/TC 037/SC 01/WG 04 "Socioterminology" ISO/TC 037/SC 01/WG 05 "Concept modelling in terminology work" ISO/TC 037/SC 01/WG 05 "Concept modelling in terminology work" ISO/TC 037/SC 02 "Terminographical and lexicographical working methods" ISO/TC 037/SC 02 "Terminographical and lexicographical working methods" –etc.

IEC/CEI International Electrotechnical Commission founded 1906 Electropedia is produced by the IEC, the world’s leading organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as “electrotechnology”. Electropedia contains all the terms and definitions in the International Electrotechnical VocabularyIEC The world’s experts in electrotechnical terminology work to produce Electropedia under the responsibility of IEC Technical Committee 1 (Terminology), one of the 175 IEC technical committees.Technical Committee 1technical committees

International telecommunication union Founded 1865 as Union internationale du télégraphe Terminology of Telecommunications (Termite)

Scientific standardization The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is a voluntary non-governmental, non-profit organization primarily devoted to the advancement of standardization in chemistry. This sites lists IUPA recommendations for the nomenclature of both organic and non-organic chemicals. For the biological sciences, there are sections dealing specifically with carbohydrates, amino acids and nucleic acids."

Unofficial standardization Cf recommendations made by French insurance industry (FFSA) “ aliénation : Il est recommandé de substituer à ce terme peu explicite et fâcheusement connoté –le mot de cession, en dommages ; –l’expression renonciation à un capital, en vie. ” (Termes et expressions à remplacer ou à proscrire, non daté).

recommendations Replace ambiguous terms –souscripteur (insurer or insured?) & archaic terms –dol (opération frauduleuse permettant l’obtention de l’accord d’une partie pour un contrat donné )

In-house style Example from a merger –Air France : commodi –UTA : trolley Translation –A client may provide a list of terms to figure in a translation

Standardization in language planning La Délégation générale à la langue française coordonne la Commission générale de la terminologie, qui elle-même coordonne une série de Commissions spécialisées de terminologie et de néologie, chargée de “ l’enrichissement de la langue française ”. "Le dispositif créé par le décret du 3 juillet 1996 relatif à l'enrichissement de la langue française se caractérise par la place en retrait assignée à l'Etat, par le rôle éminent confié à de nouveaux acteurs : la commission générale de terminologie et l'Académie française, et par la mise en œuvre de nouveaux moyens d'action et de diffusion."