A Linguistic Study of Chemical Terms

Abstract

This paper analyses chemical symbols and terms linguistically. The application of linguistics to one of the wings of science is something unusual because science or information is fact based and the other is expression based. Linguistics comprises phonology, phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and various other branches of the study of a language. The article begins with the admirable quality of adaptability of English language and its acceptance as lingua franca. The etymology and eponyms facilitate nomenclature in chemistry. The paper discusses how the nuances of a language contribute to understanding chemistry. It includes how the universe, names of the inventors, places of the inventors or developers, the places where the resource materials of chemicals are found and their colours and many other factors play a significant role in nomenclature. Even the ancient myths have their own part in naming things. The linguistic study concludes with the inseparable quality of language and information since language is a means of expression and science is an expression of facts.