1. Dear Mavina, thank you for accepting our invitation to serve as a keynote speaker at the Fourth International Conference – Terminology – Heritage and Modernity. Since this is your first-time visiting Georgia, we’re interested to know what you know about our country.
I am particularly honoured by your invitation and delighted by the opportunity to visit your beautiful country! I know, of course, about the historical and cultural bonds between our countries. It’s amazing to know that my hometown, Volos, is the ancient Iolkos, from which, according to Greek mythology, Jason and the Argonauts set sail for Colchis in the Black Sea! This connection brings a sense of historical continuity and shared heritage that I deeply appreciate. However, I certainly want to learn more about the rich history and culture of your country, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. I would be eager to explore the beautiful landscapes and mountains, especially the Caucasus. As a linguist, I am very interested in your language and alphabet, which hold a special place in the world’s linguistic heritage. I am also keen to experience Georgian cuisine and hospitality, which I have heard so much about. I am really looking forward to meeting you and am excited to spend some extra days exploring Tbilisi and its main sites after the conference.
2. Could you please tell us more about your organization Eleto?
The Hellenic Society for Terminology (ELETO), established in 1992, is the only Greek Association devoted exclusively to terminology, providing terminological assistance to various organizations in Greece.
ELETO develops fruitful cooperation with bodies in Greece and the EU such as universities, research centers, public authorities and professional associations. Since 1997, ELETO has been organizing the biennial conference Hellenic Language and Terminology with a particular focus on Greek terminology. Besides this conference, supported by a large number of terminology scholars and co-organisers, ELETO members regularly hold various seminars and training workshops on terminology.
ELETO also cooperates with several international terminology organizations, including the International Information Centre for Terminology (Infoterm), the European Association for Terminology (EAFT), the International Network for Terminology (TermNet), and, formerly, the now inactive International Institute for Terminology Research (IITF).
ELETO strongly advocates for open access to terminological resources and relevant publications. Today, the ELETO website (www.eleto.gr) offers free online access to: (a) all the papers presented in the conference Hellenic Language and Terminology (14 conferences, i.e. 439 papers), (b) more than 180,000 terminological entries by means of 13 termbases, (c) more than 30 glossaries and subject dictionaries, and (d) all issues of Orogramma, the bimonthly newsletter reporting all ELETO’s terminological works and activities since 1993.
3. It would be interesting to know about Greece’s terminological policy, along with its procedures for coordination and normalization.
Standardization requires the development of common special language and commonly accepted terminology in all domains. An important landmark in the history of Terminology in Greece is 1976 when the Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELOT) was established, thereby institutionalizing the national standardization of terminology. Among ELOT’s several Technical Committees (TC), each one dealing with the special language and terminology of its subject field, the TC21, of which I am happy to be the chairperson since 2019, deals with “Terminology – Language resources”. As a mirror committee of ISO/TC37, its role is to participate in the international standardization on language and terminology, transpose relevant International Standards by preparing Greek ones (ELOT Hellenic Standards), and cooperate with academics, scholars, and professionals on relevant matters.
It is important to point out that ELETO, often in cooperation with ELOT, has participated in several initiatives towards the direction of terminology coordination and normalization over the years; however, the results have been rather disappointing so far. Here are some examples. In 1990, at the initiative of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT), a Working Group was established in order to study the state of terminology in Greece and plan a coordinated research programme on terminology rendering. The WG completed its work and submitted its final report; however, no progress has been recorded since then. In 2000, ELETO actively participated, among other institutions, in the Coordination Committee of the National Programme for Terminological Coordination (EPOS); however, the programme was eventually rejected. In 2006, ELETO organized a conference in Athens to examine the method adopted in France by the Commission d’enrichissement de la langue française and investigate the possibility of establishing a similar system in Greece. After the conference, ELETO and the Ministry of Education jointly drafted a bill to establish a terminology coordinating body in Greece, to be called the National Body of Terminology; however, the bill was never submitted to Parliament. All this indicates that Greece still lacks a national terminological policy and pertinent procedures, making ELETO’s role and mission not only critical but also more challenging due to the lack of sufficient framework and support.
4. What is your attitude towards the nature of terminology? As far as I know, Greeks tend to favour terms derived from Greek roots, and they are less tending to adopt English neologisms directly. For instance, terms that are considered international in Georgia, such as “university” or “computer,” often have Greek equivalents. Is this approach acceptable to everyone in Greece, or are there also individuals who support the acceptance of international words without translation?
Any language constantly needs new terms to designate new concepts produced within each subject field. The main terminological work carried out by ELETO’s working groups is in primary and mostly secondary naming, according to term formation principles set by ISO in ISO 704:2000 (transposed into Greek by ELOT/TC21 in ELOT 402:2010) and proper term formation mechanisms of Modern Greek. In their everyday term formation practice, ELETO’s terminologists frequently use formative elements from Ancient Greek, to designate modern concepts. Ancient (classical) Greek, besides Latin, is a traditional and well-established source of neoclassical terms and term elements used in most European and other languages to designate concepts of science. Almost all new Greek terms suggested by ELETO are of “non-foreign” origin; although most new scientific concepts are primarily named in English, the terms selected and/or adopted by ELETO mainly consist of Greek words or term elements, a significant number of which are neologisms. This approach helps maintain semantic transparency and linguistic continuity with the historical and cultural roots of the Greek language.
In everyday use, however, the English equivalents are also frequently used in some settings, especially in specific domains such as computer science and telecommunications. For example, terms like “computer”, “internet” or “online” are commonly used. We recognize that in the era of globalization and rapid technological advancement, English terms often become widespread due to their immediate accessibility and the global dominance of English in scientific and technological discourse, and we know that term formation principles alone (transparency, derivablility, etc.) cannot always guarantee the generalization of a new term among the language users…
5. Do you encounter challenges in terminological work, and if so, how do you handle them?
The major challenges in terminological work in Greece to address are how to achieve terminology harmonisation and coordination, how to draw larger participation of interested parties in terminology procedures, and how to increase the visibility of available resources and best practices in terminology.
Cultivating awareness of the necessity of terminology involves not only creating and standardizing terminology but also integrating it into educational and professional training programs. ELETO advocates for the inclusion of terminology studies in university curricula and offers, whenever possible, specialized training for professionals. We believe that a well-informed community of practitioners is essential for sustaining effective terminology work. The ELETO Conferences, for example, provide a platform where terminological papers from all subject fields are presented, fostering an inclusive environment where different perspectives are shared and discussed. Through these conferences, we aim to build a network of terminologists, scholars, experts, and professionals who can collaborate on terminology projects and share best practices. Additionally, we strive to make our resources more accessible through online platforms and open-access publications, ensuring that anyone interested can easily find and use our terminological resources. Our website serves as a central hub for accessing a wealth of terminological data, including termbases, glossaries, and conference papers. We also use social media and other communication channels to reach a broader audience and highlight the importance of terminology in various subject fields.
By raising awareness, increasing participation, and promoting best practices, we strive to ensure that Greek terminology continues to evolve and meet the needs of all its users.
Linda Giorgadze
Research fellow at TSU Arnold Chikobava Institute of translating dictionaries and scientific terminology.