Terminològic

Terminològic is an adjective in Catalan used to describe matters related to terminology—the set of terms used in a discipline, their formation, and the means by which they are organized and standardized. It also designates the field of study that focuses on description, creation, and management of specialized vocabularies across languages and domains.

Etymology and scope: The term derives from terminology with the Catalan suffix -ògic, itself from Greek and Latin roots meaning the study or treatment of terms. In use, terminològic can refer to practices, resources, or theoretical approaches concerned withTerm creation, description, and application of terms in professional and academic contexts.

Applications and practices: Terminològic concepts underpin areas such as linguistics, lexicography, translation, information science, and standardization. Key practices include gestió terminològica (management of terminology) through bases de termes (term bases) and vocabularis controlats (controlled vocabularies), plus the creation of glossaris (glossaries) and ontologies. Normalització terminològica and harmonització terminològica aim to achieve consistency across languages and systems, supporting interoperability and accurate information retrieval.

Relevance and challenges: A terminològic approach is vital for multilingual communication, technical documentation, and data interoperability. Challenges include handling polysemy and synonymy, tracking terminological evolution, updating term equivalences across languages, and aligning terms with user needs and domain practices. Effective terminology work enhances clarity, reduces ambiguity, and improves access to specialized knowledge.

Related concepts: Terminologia, glossaris, ontologies, and gestió de la informació are closely connected, forming an interdisciplinary area that links language, knowledge organization, and standardization.