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In:Handbook of Terminology: Volume 4. Terminology planning in Europe
Edited by Rossella Resi and Frieda Steurs
[Handbook of Terminology 4] 2025
► pp. 356–376

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Bottom-up terminology work to complement top-down terminology planning

The Basque case

 | University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
 | University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
 | University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
 | University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
Published online: 26 September 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/hot.4.bot1
Abstract
This paper explores the complementary roles of bottom-up and top-down approaches in Basque terminology planning. It traces the evolution of language normalization efforts in Basque, emphasizing the institutional contributions of Euskaltzaindia, UZEI, and the Terminology Commission. While systematic terminology work methods are essential for expanding the use of Basque in new domains, corpus-driven descriptive approaches provide valuable insights into real term usage. The ‘Weaving Terminology Networks’ program at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) serves as a case study, documenting academic terminology usages. The paper also addresses challenges such as harmonizing general and specialized lexicons. Finally, it emphasizes the need for robust terminology planning integrating both prescriptive and descriptive strategies for the effective development of Basque specialized registers.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Historical background
  • 3.Terminologia Batzordea: The governmental commission for the normalization of terminology
    • 3.1Relevant publications
      • 3.1.1The Handbook for Terminology Work (2002)
      • 3.1.2Planning of terminological work (2003)
      • 3.1.3Loan and calque words in Terminology Work (2004)
      • 3.1.4Terminology Work Criteria (2014)
    • 3.2Dictionaries published by the TC
  • 4.Terminologia Sareak Ehunduz [Weaving Terminology Networks] program
    • 4.1Methodology used in TSE programme
    • 4.2Some results of the methodology used in the TSE programme
      • 4.2.1Detection of terms and variants not codified in Euskalterm
      • 4.2.2Terms codified in Euskalterm that are not used in experts’ texts
      • 4.2.3Functional and unsystematic variation of terms
  • 5.Some problems related to the overlap of the codification of standard general lexicon and the development of terminology
  • 6.Conclusion: Some bases to implement a robust terminology planning for Basque
  • References
References (69)
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Erauzterm [URL]
Euskaterm the public terminology bank. [URL]
Garaterm corpus [URL]
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Terminologia Zerbitzurako Online Sistema (TZOS) [Online System for Terminology Service] [URL]
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