Discovering the role of morphology on the understanding of biomedical terminology by paramedical students.

Abstract

The ability to learn specialized languages, such as biomedical language, requires not only specialized knowledge specific to this area, but also linguistic skills. We propose to study this hypothesis on the example of biomedical language as it is learned by advanced paramedical students in Algeria. Two particularities are to be addressed: linguistic specificities of biomedical terms and the fact that learning process is done in French while the native language of students is Arabic. We perform a questionnaire-based study through which students have to work on recognition and production of biomedical terms and of their components. Several difficulties are observed. We propose that terminology learning programs should strongly develop and rely on linguistic skills of students and on their morphological conscience.