ON THE QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF THE TERMINOLOGY OF A VOCABULARY
Abstract
A quantitative method for selecting key words to be used in information retrieval language is described. The method is closely associated with the traditional problem of singling out terms. A term is defined as a unit in a vocabulary system used to express a system of concepts in a given branch of science. The process by which words become terms can be broken into two stages: entrance of the vocabulary unit into the sphere of limited function, and maintenance or acquisition by a certain part of the vocabulary of certain characteristics which distinguish the vocabulary of terms from the general vocabulary. There are various degrees in the process by which words become terms, and these degrees can be quantitatively analyzed. Four groups of terms may be distinguished, depending on the place which the terminological meaning occupies in the semantic structure of the word: (1) words all of whose meanings pertain exclusively to a given branch of science; (2) words whose primary meanings pertain to a given terminology; (3) words whose primary meanings do not pertain to a given terminology; and (4) words which are used in texts on a particular subject in one or several of their general meanings, which are to some extent specialized through combination with words that are terms, e.g., 'accident' in 'nuclear accident' and 'start-up accident.'
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0662574
Entities
People
- L. G. Kravets
Organizations
- Air Force Systems Command