In:Theoretical Perspectives on Terminology: Explaining terms, concepts and specialized knowledge
Edited by Pamela Faber and Marie-Claude L'Homme
[Terminology and Lexicography Research and Practice 23] 2022
► pp. 435–456
Chapter 20Cognitive approaches to the study of term variation
Published online: 14 June 2022
https://doi.org/10.1075/tlrp.23.20fer
https://doi.org/10.1075/tlrp.23.20fer
Abstract
This chapter presents a cognitive approach to research on terminological variation, which posits that term variation is cognitively motivated, since it reflects differences on how specialized concepts are categorized by different individuals in different contexts. Firstly, an overview is given of the theoretical principles that focus on the flexible nature of specialized knowledge categorization and naming. Secondly, we present a classification of the cognitive factors of term variation, which differentiates between systemic and contextual factors. Thirdly, we report the results of a study on the cognitive function of term variation, which indicate that term variation is used as a cognitive strategy to transfer specialized knowledge, but also to avoid repetition, accommodate the text to the audience, or generalize.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.The cognitive perspective on term variation: Theoretical foundations
- 2.1The dynamics of special knowledge categorization and structuring
- 2.1.1Experientialism
- 2.1.2Embodiment
- 2.1.3Situated cognition
- 2.1.4Prototype theory, Cognitive Idealized Models and frames
- 2.2The multiple motivations and the cognitive functionality of term variation
- 2.2.1The multiple motivations of term variation
- 2.2.2Typology of term variation in specialized discourse
- 2.2.3The cognitive functionality of term variation
- 2.1The dynamics of special knowledge categorization and structuring
- 3.Cognitive factors of term variation
- 3.1Systemic factors
- 3.2Contextual factors
- 3.2.1Different conceptualizations (user-related variation)
- 3.2.2Adaptation to specific context (Usage-related variation)
- 4.A study on the cognitive and communicative functions of term variation
- 4.1Corpus analysis of term variants in research articles
- 4.2Perceived functions of term variation according to experts (interview analysis)
- 5.Conclusion: Challenges for a cognitive study on term variation
Notes
Cited by (5)
Cited by five other publications
Bowker, Lynne
2025. Review of Warburton & Humbley (2025): Terminology throughout History: A discipline in the making. Terminology. International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Issues in Specialized Communication
Bureau, Pauline
Fernández‐Silva, Sabela & Juan Antonio Núñez Cortés
Sánchez Cárdenas, Beatriz
Vezzani, Federica & Rute Costa
2024. Variation in psychopathological terminology. Terminology. International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Issues in Specialized Communication 30:1 ► pp. 81 ff.
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