The neologization of the Romanian language. Terminological metaphor

Abstract

Within the limits of the systematicity of a language, it is possible to ,,give a concrete body to an impression that is difficult to express” (Gaston Bachelard). Borrowed terms (initial metaphors) from modern languages are considered, from a metaphorical perspective, totally neutralized. The metaphorical meaning from the original language (Greek or Latin) is almost faded. Therefore, these borrowings are subject to the process of demetaphorization. Thus, terminological neologisms reflect two chronologically distinct processes: a) the metaphorization carried out at the time of the formation of a terminology, through translations from Greek or Latin (translations from Greek and Latin languages → scientific term → metaphor); and b) the demetaphorization of the scientific term in the languages of the modern era (Greek-Latin metaphor → scientific term). The present article proposes some investigations of the terms used in medical terminology, based on the analysis of the metaphorization → demetaphorization processes.