A Linguistic Study of the Language of Science and Technology
ABSTRACT
This research examines the language of science and technology as part of ESP, under the use of language according to context of situation, paying particular attention to the lexis, grammar and Graphological features of scientific jargon. In the lexical aspect, analyses is on noun, verb and eponyms; in grammar the paper analyses the internal and external structures of the language and in the graphological level, the language makes use of capitalization, acronyms, sings and symbols. This research was carried out using the secondary sources that is, the use of internet, science textbooks, dictionaries; it was library based research work.
It has discussed how the language of science and technology is used in simple form despite the fact that it is said to be complex, but the research has discovered that in the complex structures and nature of the language that there is always a little form of simplicity and this is seen in the analyses of the phrase and clause constituents or the language. Therefore the research recommend that more attention should be paid to the language by people outside the field and even some in the field and that it should not be seen as an isolated language but that which also forms the major code of English language.
A Linguistic Study of the Language of Science and Technology
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Declaration
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Table of contents
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the problems
1.3 Purpose of the study
1.4 Significance of the Study
1.5 Scope of the Study
1.6 Theoretical Framework
1.7 Methodology
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Literature on language and Context of Situation
2.2 Literature on English for science and Technology
CHAPTER THREE: LINGUISTIC FEATURES OF ENGLISH FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (EST)
3.1 Lexical Features
3.1.1. Nouns
3.1.2 Verbs
3.2 Eponyms
3.3 Graphologial Features
3.3.1 Capitalization
3.3.2 Acronyms/Abbreviations
3.3.3 Signs and symbols
CHAPTER FOUR: GRAMMATICAL FEATURES OF ENGLISH FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (EST)
4.1 Grammatical Features of English for Science and
Technology
4.2 Analysis of the Clauses and Phrase Constituents of English for Science and Technology
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
References
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
This work is on the linguistic features of scientific Jagon under English for specific purposes (ESP) which is subsumed under the use of language according to situation. ESP as a study has subbranches and one of these is English for science and technology (EST). English for science and technology as a subbranch of ESP basically deals with the study of the language of science and the language has its own jargon that is scientific jagon.
Scientific jagon is just those terms tailored specifically towards the learning of science. This is based on the account that every situation of language has its own technical terms. For instance, the language of law, religion and advertisement all have their own different jarpon and this is also applicable to the language of science. For one to understand English for science and technology (EST) one has to learn the language effectively.
The issue of learning the language effectively is what this research sets out to carry out the emphasis and analysis will be placed on the linguistic features of scientific jarpon and this will be done under the lexical, grammatical and graphological features and it is hoped that this effort will contribute greatly to the learning and understanding of the language of science.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
This register of the language of science and technology possess people outside the field and even some that are professional in the field.
This language has its characteristic features which block or hinder creativity and critical thinking. Some of the problems or questions which the research intends to answer are: what are the specific features of the language of science and technology? Are the populace familiar with these features in order to be able to employ them effectively in writing? The use of technical expressions and complexity in the sentence structure also pose a lot of problems and as such leads to poor performance in learning the language. this research sets but to proffer solutions to the problems posed by the lexis, grammar and the graphological features of the language of science and technology to both the professionals and nonprofessional in the field.
A Linguistic Study of the Language of Science and Technology
1.3 Purpose of the study
The primary purpose of this research is to:
(i) delineate and illustrate the unique linguistic features of scientific jargons.
(ii) highlight the features which characterize the variety of the language of science and technology.
(iii) establish the effectiveness of those features on the language of science and technology; and
(iv) exemplify the methodology involved in writing papers in science and technology.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This study examines the register used by scientists and technicians and how they go about it. The study will enable the general public to have a better understanding of language, since people are affected by the benefits or science and technology. Science and technology as a concept has more to do with human lives and living. Thus, this research will facilitate understanding and appreciation of the complex sentence structures and the technicality of the vocabulary of science and technology.
1.5 Scope of the Study
This research paper is limited to only the study of the language of science and technology and pays attention to only the lexical, grammatical and graphological features of the language. Because of time and space constraints the study does not extend to phonological and semantic features.
1.6 Theoretical Framework
This research is based on the theories of English for specific purposes (ESP) as propounded by Stevens (1988) as well as DudleyEvans and St. John (1997) concerning the ideal characteristics of English for specific purposes. These theories are classified into two sections: Aboslute and variable characteristics. Stevens (1988) makes a distinction between four absolute and two variable characteristics as follows:
Absolute
English for specific purpose is:
(i) Designed to meet specified needs of the learner:
(ii) Related in content (i.e. in its themes and topics) to particular disciplines, occupations and activities;
(iii) Centred on the language appropriate to those activities in syntax, lexis, discourage, semantics etc; and
(iv) In contrast with general English.
Variables
English for specific purposes may be, but is not necessarily;
(i) restricted as the language skills to be learned (e.g. reading only), and
(ii) According to any preordained methodology.
1.7 Methodology
The data for the present study were obtained from the library, science textbooks, internet and even science dictionaries. This data will be presented and analysis according to the lexical, grammatical and graphological features.
