Mr. Ingemar Strandvik is one of the keynote speakers at the 5th International Scientific Conference “Terminology — Heritage and Modernity”. To introduce him to our readers and highlight current issues in the field, we addressed him with a few questions:
What is the significance of standardized and agreed-upon terminology work for the digital future of a language?
Standardized and agreed-upon terminology work is important, insofar as it contributes to making it possible to use the language in all societal contexts and specialized domains. The more advanced this terminological standardization work, the easier and faster the digitalization. But the key is the standardized and structured terminology work, not the digitalization itself. Moreover, the benefits of digitalization materialize immediately, regardless of where you start, provided you work in accordance with good terminological practice.
How does the European Commission ensure terminological consistency across dozens of official languages?
The EU institutions ensure terminological consistency via well-structured workflows where terminology work is integrated in all stages of the drafting and translation process. It involves proactive terminology work with term extraction to identify new terms, coordination between drafters, translators, lawyer-linguists, and national experts, efficient (re)use and updates of termbases and translation memories, terminological helpdesks for urgent queries, and verification of terminological consistency after translation. New technologies to support all these tasks are continuously tested and implemented. Not only terminologists, but also translators are trained in terminological working methods, and in efficient use of the rapidly evolving technology.
What main challenges and obstacles does modern society face in the development of international termbases?
I think that the main challenge and obstacle modern society faces in the development of termbases, be they national or international, is the misconception that everything today must go very fast and be at zero cost, or at least very, very cheap. Terminology work takes time and is expensive, even with the use of AI. The ROI is not immediate but sets in over time, when the well-structured terminology works as a lubricant in the national or international communication contexts where it contributes to better understanding and trust, and thus to more efficiency. New technology opens up great perspectives, provided it is used properly.
What are your views on the mechanisms for developing national terminology in the digital and Artificial Intelligence era — what key factors should a country consider to ensure the sustainable development and full functionality of its state language?
Terminology is by definition specialized language, so it is obvious that all-purpose LLMs will not do the trick on their own. I think that the key factor is to ensure that IT developers and terminologists work together so that good practice in terminology work is built into the use of technology. Obviously, here I refer to the importance of putting focus on concept analyses and definitions and not on the surface level of the linguistic expression. This requires awareness at the political level, and the existence of well-trained terminologists with an open and curious learning-mindset, so that IT people and terminologists can learn from each other.
Lia Karosanidze