SCIENTIFIC LANGUAGE: CHARACTERISTICS, FUNCTIONS, TYPES - SCIENCE - 2025

The scientific language is a form of language characterized by its formality and use of symbols and terms of science. It is used for the transmission of specialized or scientific knowledge. It is usually transmitted through written messages and must be supported by reliable sources and scientific-technical demonstrations.

Science requires the use of special language codes to differentiate itself from colloquial language; there is even specialized language for the different scientific disciplines. Each branch of science uses its own jargon or language codes: medicine, biology, technology, astronomy, mathematics, physics, etc.

However, despite the semantic differences between the sciences, there are some basic or common characteristics of scientific language. Scientific language uses specific terms about the subject it talks about, so much so that the special lexicon used in scientific texts is its main characteristic.

This type of language is also characterized by its objectivity, clarity, precision and accuracy. There is no place for personal opinions or feelings. In this way, science avoids ambiguities and misunderstandings.

characteristics

Impersonal

Avoid using the first person singular (I) or the plural (we), which is intended to convey its objective nature.

objective

Nor does he issue personal opinions; that is, it avoids the use of subjective elements. It is based on observations about the results obtained through scientific tests.

Concise

Say what you want to say, using only the number of words necessary.

Precise

He is careful to say exactly what he wants to say. Use connectors to do simple phrase sequencing, as well as simple verb tenses.

Clear

It is understandable for the type of audience to which it is directed. The accuracy with which facts or evidence are presented is what gives an article or scientific discourse probative value and veracity.

Additionally, there are other characteristic features of scientific language:

- Treats or informs about a specific topic.

- It is aimed at an expert audience in the subject matter.

- It can be difficult to understand for those who are not experts on the subject.

- Use language codes and specific terminology.

- High density or terminological specialization.

- Low level of periphrasis or unnecessary use of words. Nor does she use rhetorical ornaments.

- Frequent use of acronyms, ranging from an explicit level (name) to a hermetic level (the acronym).

- Use a unique vocabulary (monosemic language) to avoid different interpretations. The technicalities and neologisms it uses do not tolerate other forms such as polysemy, synonymy, and homonymy. However, it creates neologisms by composition and derivation.

- Borrow lexicals and use graphics and drawings for explanations.

- It makes strict reference to the object or subject it deals with. He uses denotative language and refuses to use oblique language.

-Use discursive elements such as: definition, description, demonstration, enunciation, explanation and characterization, without involving personal positions.

- In the writing the present tense predominates along with the indicative mood. It uses lots of nouns and very few adjectives.

- It's universal; therefore, there is an absence of particularisms in the use of scientific terms, as well as in the exemplifications and the methodological conventions themselves.

- Previously, scientific language had an almost total dependence on Latin and to a lesser extent on Greek. At present, English is the language most used in scientific discourse, although at the beginning of the 20th century it was German along with Latin.

Features

Scientific language fulfills very precise functions as a vehicle for science. As already mentioned, it is precise, exact and objective. Its functions include:

Transmit information

It transmits specific knowledge to an audience and represents at the same time a certain scientific discipline.

Express arguments

It goes to the concrete, exposing the subject in question and developing each one of the arguments without adornment.

Metalinguistics

Scientific and technical texts create and recreate their own terminology. For this reason, they often have to explain the meaning of the terms used to avoid ambiguities or distortions. Some of the words in scientific terminology have no meaning in the dictionaries of the language.

Types

Scientific language can be classified according to the different types of words it uses. There are scientific words that were created specifically for the use of science. For example, photosynthesis, electrolysis, and mitosis.

Likewise, there are words of daily use that are used in scientific language to refer to certain phenomena or actions in science, but they are also used in other contexts; for example: exercise, repel, natural or contract.

Scientists do not speak a language other than the one they use to communicate in their daily lives. The difference is that in their work they use special and specific terminology to deal with scientific matters.

They use generic terms with specific meanings for science and specialized terms typical of scientific jargon.

According to the origin of the technicalities it uses, scientific language can be classified into:

Common language words with different meanings

For example: mass, force, power, inertia, matter, protocol, routine.

Terms of Greek or Latin origin (simple or compound)

For example: headache, anatomy, polygenic, petrology.

Words formed with Latin or Greek roots

For example: anorexia, pustule, atom.

Neologisms

For example: Anglicisms (standard, stress) and Gallicisms (flag).

Examples

An example of a text written in journalistic language and the same text written in scientific language:

Example 1

Journalistic text

Recent journalistic reports indicate that there is proven evidence that consumption of the artificial sweetener Aspartame can accelerate type 2 diabetes in the human body.

This type of diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency, as the body is unable to produce it to process blood sugar.

Cientific text

Proven evidence suggests that consumption of the artificial sweetener Aspartame causes insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Example 2

One third of the earth's surface is covered with calcareous soils. In the present work, the effect of chemical compounds based on mesosulfuron-methyl and iodosulfuron-methyl sodium on this type of soil is demonstrated.

Examples of scientific terms

- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

- Biotechnology (biological technology)

- Cycloheximide (chemical compound to slow down the cell cycle)

- Chromosome (structure of the cell nucleus that carries DNA)

- Diploid (nucleus with two sets of chromosomes)

- Enzyme (protein molecule)

- Liposuction (surgical technique to remove fat from the body)

References

1. Characteristics of scientific language (PDF), Consulted from files.sld.cu
2. Examples of scientific terms. examplede.com
3. Types of scientific language. Consulted from community.dur.ac.uk
4. Anglicisms in scientific literature, Consulted from revistaneurocirugia.com
5. Experiments with scientific language. Consulted of theguardian.com
6. Special languages ​​2: Technical and scientific language. Consulted from sites.google.com
7. Scientific language is becoming more informal. Consulted of nature.com