To the Problem of Defining a Term in the Theories of Terminological Planning: An Interdisciplinary Approach

The problem of the definition of a term in the theories of terminological planning based on the application of an interdisciplinary approach is investigated. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the possibility of constructing philosophical foundations for the formation of a unified approach to the issue of defining and understanding a term in the absence of such in the theories of terminological planning. The article is based on an interdisciplinary methodology that includes three components: socio-philosophical, sociolinguistic, and semantic approaches. The socio-philosophical approach allows one to integrate existing approaches based on social priorities (society is the main actor in terminological activity). The sociolinguistic approach helps to demonstrate the connection between social and linguistic processes, which manifests itself directly in terminology. The semantic approach allows one to demonstrate the process of forming the meaning of a term, on the interpretation of which the understanding and definition of the term largely depends. The notions “term”, “notion”, “concept” are related to each other on the basis of a number of philosophical approaches. The non-identity of these concepts with each other in the semantic sense, as well as the impossibility of defining a term without these concepts, is demonstrated. Based on this, the author proposes for comparison a model of a terminological triangle (concept-term-concept) as a criterion for assessing the status of a term and its functions in different theories of terminological planning. Each member of the terminological triangle has a dominant function. The notion is assigned a semantic function in terminological activity (the establishment and consolidation of meanings in a language), the concept performs a cognitive function (the relationship of meanings to each other in the knowledge system), the term fulfills a communicative function (the relationship of meanings and knowledge). At the same time, the author notes that members of the terminological triangle can perform other functions depending on social priorities. Based on the terminological triangle model, the status of the term in three theories of terminological planning is analyzed (General Theory of Terminology, GTT), Communication Theory of Terminology (CTT) - Theory of the Doors (TD), and Sociocogni-tive Theory of Terminology (STT)). The author shows that the status of the term does not fully coincide either in the designated theories, or in comparison with the functions of the term in the model of the terminological triangle. The author proves that the status of the term depends on social needs, solved with the help of theories of terminological planning, and states that the presence of a terminological triangle model can be the first step towards building a general model of a term based on interdisciplinary methodology.

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