On diversity and terminology

Abstract

This article aims to show the link of the concept of diversity with terminology. This fundamental relationship may seem paradoxical since one of the main goals of terminology is that of unification and standardisation of terms. However, it should be borne in mind that terminology has to take reality into account. This reality appears to be diverse in its nature. Terminology was born from diversity and owes much of its expansion to the diversity of its approaches, applications, functions, and training; this diversity is the natural outcome of facing up to a concrete and existing reality. Thus it can be seen that contrary to what might be common belief, the goal of absolute uniformity of scientific terms is not desirable as it reflects an artificial and Utopian process. In fact, idealising terms does not bear much resemblance to reality. Nor does it to terminology.