2.5.6. Phraseology/Co-occurents

Beyond the formal limits of a terminological unit, interesting information about the underlying concepts may be found in the phraseologisms surrounding it. Verbs associated with a terminological noun phrase may reveal some of the distinguishing functions and processes of that concept while co-occurring adjectives may reveal whole sets of subordinated concepts. Adverbs associated with a terminological verb phrase may illustrate the specific manner in which an action is performed and thus help define it.

Example of phraseologism Extraction

The following text is an example of phraseologism extraction and systemization from a given context: "brain hormone" in Guide on phraseology (PAVEL 1994:15).

The corpora cardiaca serve for the release and sometimes the storage of the brain hormone, and the position of these organs adjacent to the aorta may facilitate dispersal of the hormone.

The hormones involved in metamorphosis have been studied in some detail in the Cecropia moth. This insect ... has three hormones controlling metamorphosis: a brain hormone, a prothoracic gland hormone, and a corpus allatum hormone. The brain hormone produced after low temperature of hibernation (as a pupa in the Cecropia), stimulates the production of the prothoracic gland hormone, which promotes metamorphosis ... Injection of the brain hormone into an adult causes molting to occur.

(term) brain hormone

(term + verb): - accumulates, - controls metamorphosis, - stimulates production of another hormone

(verb + term): to disperse - , to inject - , to release - , to store -

Some phraseologisms may be catalysts for term creation. For instance, a noun + verb statement may become a terminological phrase (e.g. the dynamic system organizes itself = self-organizing dynamic system).

Collecting and recording co-occurrents also helps translators recreate authentic usage of specialized terminology in a translated technical text. Sometimes existing usage may be improved when improper usage is observed through the recording of phraseologisms, thus increasing the effectiveness of communication.