Wüster's view of terminology

Abstract

Eugen Wüster was an Austrian engineer who laid the foundations of modern terminology. His view of terminology was shaped especially by two circumstances: besides being an engineer and entrepreneur he was also a passionate Esperantist. Wüster as engineer considered special language as a tool that should be made to suit the needs of the one who uses it. Wüster as Esperantist knew that languages can be shaped and even invented. Wüster's approach to terminology is onomasiological; the starting point is the concept rather than the term. Wüster realized that onomasiological dictionaries presuppose a semantic (conceptual) analysis. Wüster's conception of concepts is fairly complex; a concept is called meaning when considered semasiologically; a concept can pertain to general language or special language; a concept can be defined or non-defined. With regard to polysemy, Wüster didn't require that terms should be monosemous; he insisted that they should be unambiguous in a given context.