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15. Controlled Language

  • Richard Ryan
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Languages for Special Purposes
This chapter is in the book Languages for Special Purposes

Abstract

Controlled languages are subsets of natural languages restricted by explicit rules governing lexicon, grammar and style. They are essentially used to reduce ambiguity and complexity in written procedural or descriptive technical documents, and so can be viewed as extending good authoring practice. Their main declared purpose is to achieve cost savings through the simplification and standardization of document production, and through improved document usability. Human-machine interaction and the translation of documents, in particular by machines, are additional related aims. Controlled natural languages may be either empirical or logic-based. Many empirical controlled languages have been successfully developed in industry starting from existing in-house drafting practice and text corpora, the emphasis being placed on improving human readability. Logic-based controlled languages, by contrast, have been devised to form strictly unambiguous natural language subsets: these may have poor human readability, but unlike the less rigorously formalized empirical controlled languages, they can be used as processable machine input for knowledge representation. Language control raises some formal linguistic issues, particularly the question of whether sweeping restrictions on expression for the sake of simplicity and concision may unintentionally impede communication.

Abstract

Controlled languages are subsets of natural languages restricted by explicit rules governing lexicon, grammar and style. They are essentially used to reduce ambiguity and complexity in written procedural or descriptive technical documents, and so can be viewed as extending good authoring practice. Their main declared purpose is to achieve cost savings through the simplification and standardization of document production, and through improved document usability. Human-machine interaction and the translation of documents, in particular by machines, are additional related aims. Controlled natural languages may be either empirical or logic-based. Many empirical controlled languages have been successfully developed in industry starting from existing in-house drafting practice and text corpora, the emphasis being placed on improving human readability. Logic-based controlled languages, by contrast, have been devised to form strictly unambiguous natural language subsets: these may have poor human readability, but unlike the less rigorously formalized empirical controlled languages, they can be used as processable machine input for knowledge representation. Language control raises some formal linguistic issues, particularly the question of whether sweeping restrictions on expression for the sake of simplicity and concision may unintentionally impede communication.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents IX
  4. Part I: Fundamental Aspects
  5. 1.Lsp As Specialised Genres 3
  6. 2.Languages For Special Purposes As Instruments For Communicating Knowledge 26
  7. 3.Lsps As Instruments For Intercultural Communication 45
  8. 4.Lsp Lexicography And Typology Of Specialized Dictionaries 71
  9. 5.Teaching Lsp To Technical Communicators 96
  10. Part II: Lsps In Different Domains And Language Communities
  11. 6.Legal Language 113
  12. 7.Economic Language 151
  13. 9. Lsps In French 209
  14. 10. Finnish For Special Purposes: Terminology Work In Finland 225
  15. 11. Norwegian Lsps 234
  16. 12. Dominance Of Esp In Various Domains In The Context Of Gobal English 255
  17. 13. Gender And Lsp 267
  18. Part III: Corporate And Controlled Communication
  19. 14. Company-Speak, Organisation-Speak 279
  20. 15. Controlled Language 289
  21. 16. Technical Communication And Technical Documentation 307
  22. 17. Instructional Texts – Learn How To Get Things Done 321
  23. Part IV: Science Communication
  24. 18. The Language Of Science – A Systemicfunctional Perspective 345
  25. 19. Oral Discourse In Scientific Research 364
  26. 20. Legal Discourse As An Example Of Domain-Specific Science Communication 381
  27. 21. Lsps As Instruments For Science Communication 406
  28. Part V: Terminology And Multilingual Domain Communication
  29. 22. Term Formation And Neology 437
  30. 23. Terminological Concept Systems 453
  31. 24. Socioterminology 469
  32. 25.Technical Terminology 489
  33. 26. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Legal Terminology 509
  34. 27. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Medical Terminology 522
  35. 28. Terminology Work For Specific Problem Areas And Issues: The Case Of Oil Terminology 535
  36. 29.Legal translation 548
  37. Index 563
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110228014-015

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Contents IX
  4. Part I: Fundamental Aspects
  5. 1.Lsp As Specialised Genres 3
  6. 2.Languages For Special Purposes As Instruments For Communicating Knowledge 26
  7. 3.Lsps As Instruments For Intercultural Communication 45
  8. 4.Lsp Lexicography And Typology Of Specialized Dictionaries 71
  9. 5.Teaching Lsp To Technical Communicators 96
  10. Part II: Lsps In Different Domains And Language Communities
  11. 6.Legal Language 113
  12. 7.Economic Language 151
  13. 9. Lsps In French 209
  14. 10. Finnish For Special Purposes: Terminology Work In Finland 225
  15. 11. Norwegian Lsps 234
  16. 12. Dominance Of Esp In Various Domains In The Context Of Gobal English 255
  17. 13. Gender And Lsp 267
  18. Part III: Corporate And Controlled Communication
  19. 14. Company-Speak, Organisation-Speak 279
  20. 15. Controlled Language 289
  21. 16. Technical Communication And Technical Documentation 307
  22. 17. Instructional Texts – Learn How To Get Things Done 321
  23. Part IV: Science Communication
  24. 18. The Language Of Science – A Systemicfunctional Perspective 345
  25. 19. Oral Discourse In Scientific Research 364
  26. 20. Legal Discourse As An Example Of Domain-Specific Science Communication 381
  27. 21. Lsps As Instruments For Science Communication 406
  28. Part V: Terminology And Multilingual Domain Communication
  29. 22. Term Formation And Neology 437
  30. 23. Terminological Concept Systems 453
  31. 24. Socioterminology 469
  32. 25.Technical Terminology 489
  33. 26. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Legal Terminology 509
  34. 27. Terminology Work In Different Domains: Medical Terminology 522
  35. 28. Terminology Work For Specific Problem Areas And Issues: The Case Of Oil Terminology 535
  36. 29.Legal translation 548
  37. Index 563
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