Definition in Scientific and Technical Discourse (original) (raw)

Definitions in Science Lectures

Applied Linguistics, 1992

This paper is an empirical study of the speech act of definition in science lectures. Definitions occurring in sixteen lectures by native speaker biology and chemistry lecturers to non-native speaker students were transcribed and coded onto a computer data base, according to twenty-eight linguistic and paralinguistic features. Data were obtained regarding frequency, distribution, function, and form of definitions. A total of 315 terms were defined, indicating an average frequency of occurrence of one definition per 1 minute 55 seconds. Definitions were found to fulfil one of two main functions: signposting the logical/discourse structure of the subject/lecture, or helping to maintain comprehension as the discourse progresses. Definitions were found to often cluster together in discourse, but there was no evidence of them being more frequent at the beginning of lectures. Definitions were classified into three major types and one minor type, each of the major types being further subclassified. Findings are reported for ordering of the semantic elements of definitions, syntactic and lexical signalling devices, and various rhetorical and paralinguistic features which accompany definitions. A final section discusses implications for pedagogy.

The Activity of Defining

This paper presents a rationale and a conceptual framework for a wider research project dealing with mathematical communication, and in particular with actions performed by interlocutors whenever they wish to clarify their use of a symbol, a word or an expression. The aim of such actions is often to repair a communicational breach resulting from differences in the interlocutors' uses of words. As was found in our study, only some of the defining actions would result in texts known as mathematical definitions. The point of departure of our research project is that the effectiveness of the defining actions is as much a function of the action itself as of its contexts. Our focus in this research is thus broader than in the past studies on definitions, and includes the when and why of defining along with their how. (Contains 7 footnotes and 4 figures.) [For complete proceedings, see ED500858.]

A contribution to defining the term'definition

Knowledge is a model that enables premeditated change. Knowledge can be subdivided: the simplest element is information. Information aggregates/relations constitute a concept. Clusters of concepts make theories. Concepts and theories can be further branched into: conclusions, explanations, cognitions, etc, which together belong to a general class of Definition. Definitions are key elements of knowledge. Yet it appears that we do not sufficiently explain the nature of this concept of definition itself. There is little doubt about the importance of words and languages, however these semantic structures contain some intrinsic ambiguities. Knowledge records grow faster than its substance, and it is increasingly difficult to manipulate and communicate this voluminous structure. The interpretations of terms and knowledge can vary significantly, especially in the multidisciplinary context. Misiformation is exacerbated by vague definitions including synonyms, homonyms and acronyms. This paper attempts to contribute to defining the term 'definition' to alleviate the mentioned problems.

Definitions in Academic Lectures: A Preliminary Report

In M. Kline & G. Anderson (Eds.), Proceedings of the CATESOL State Conference, 2006. Orlinda, CA: CATESOL, 2006

This paper provides information about vocabulary learning and academic lectures and then outlines a preliminary case study of definitions in academic lectures. In doing so it provides examples of the quantitative and qualitative use of definitions in theology lectures, and concludes with some implications for specialized vocabulary learning and teaching.

The Functions of Definition in Science

Philosophy of Science, 1959

Definition is viewed in this paper as a cohesive element of theory, providing links between scientific constructs. The problem is approached first in terms of three orders--the historical, the logical, and the heuristic--in which the structure of science may be put together; a ...

3—349 the Activity of Defining

1993

This paper presents a rationale and a conceptual framework for a wider research project dealing with mathematical communication, and in particular with actions performed by interlocutors whenever they wish to clarify their use of a symbol, a word or an expression. The aim of such actions is often to repair a communicational breach resulting from differences in the interlocutors ’ uses of words. As was found in our study, only some of the defining actions would result in texts known as mathematical definitions. The point of departure of our research project is that the effectiveness of the defining actions is as much a function of the action itself as of its contexts. Our focus in this research is thus broader than in the past studies on definitions, and includes the when and why of defining along with their how. Today, it is a common belief that learning with peers in small groups has many advantages over frontal learning, where the teacher is often the only speaker. And yet, such f...

RHETORICAL PURPOSE AND THE USE OF DEFINITIONS AS A COHERENCE DEVICE IN SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION

Definitions are widely used in scientific communication to suit rhetorical purpose according to the audience knowledge level. In order for speech or writing to fulfil its rhetorical functions it must be coherent. Coherence is product of different factors that combine to contribute to the meaning of the whole text; it is ultimately brought about by connections between previous knowledge and new information. In scientific and technical communication if the knowledge level of the audience is not high enough, the writer will have to provide further background information. In more advanced discourse, when writers present new concepts and new technologies these require definitions ranging from a word to several paragraphs. This paper presents a case study of two typical science texts (didactic and research article) to show how definitions are used as a coherence device to help the reader understand specific information.

A Short History of 'Definition'

Pending, 2024

A short history of 'definition' in recent philosophy is presented. The views presented here are in approximate chronological historical order and revolve around discussion of 'real' and 'nominal' definitions. Under the tripartite theory, a 'real' definition is approximately identified as a 'theoretic' definition. A 'nominal' definition is understood to be identified as 'reportive' or 'stipulative.' The conclusion of this history is that the quoted texts support the idea that mathematical definitions are typically (3b) stipulative abbreviations or (3c) stipulative formalizations of fixed definiens concepts.

Pragmatic Aspects of Definition in Technical Terms Dictionary

Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI-Journal) : Humanities and Social Sciences, 2018

The Dictionary of Technical Terms has not shown any significant development on its existence. This dictionary has never been revised since its first publication in 1985 by the National Institute of Language. The dictionary which was presented in KBBI Daring has not also shown any significant changes. The means of defining terms are found to be similar to those of the common dictionary. It is evidenced that there has been no formula yet to define in the dictionary of technical term. This study aims to describe the pragmatic aspects of definition which is the distinctive feature in defining lemma in the dictionary of technical term. Nine different technical term dictionaries published in 1985 by Pusat Pembinaan dan Pengembangan Bahasa were taken as the sources of data to find out about definian and definiandum. Data were gathered through documenting and synthesizing the pragmatic aspects of definian. Pragmasematic approach is the basis of the pragmatic aspects found in the dictionary ...