Biomedizin als sprachliche Kontroverse

Review of recent research (1998–2012) in German for Academic Purposes (GAP) in comparison with English for Academic Purposes (EAP): cross-influences, synergies and implications for further research

“…In this regard, lexis is seen as a means of imposing competing theories and interests in the academic struggle for recognition and resources and this often results in certain words and meanings becoming hegemonic buzzwords. Recently, there have been a number of studies examining lexis in new scientific fields such as biomedicine, genetics and nanotechnology and their reception in public discourse, highlighting a number of controversies that have been triggered by the use of certain terms (Felder 2006;Domasch 2007). Liebert's (2006) work on the establishment of the term Ozonloch 'hole in the ozone layer' in scientific discourse and Scherner's (2006) study on the use of the terms text, speech and discourse as competing terminologies in linguistics shed light on the powerful role of language in the formation, evaluation and dissemination of academic knowledge and questions the too-easily-assumed objectivity of research.…”

“…Wengeler (2006) demonstrates this in his work on different shades of meaning of the frequently used terms discourse, mentality and culture in historical studies. For example, by analysing statements from a range of official medical sources related to the introduction of pre-implantation genetic diagnostics in Germany, Domasch (2007) demonstrated how certain non-medical terms such as the verb verwerfen, literally 'to dismiss', acquire new controversial meanings or are used in a euphemistic way to mean absterben lassen 'allow to die' or vernichten 'destroy'. Recently, there have been a number of studies examining lexis in new scientific fields such as biomedicine, genetics and nanotechnology and their reception in public discourse, highlighting a number of controversies that have been triggered by the use of certain terms (Felder 2006;Domasch 2007).…”

“…Liebert's (2006) work on the establishment of the term Ozonloch ‘hole in the ozone layer’ in scientific discourse and Scherner's (2006) study on the use of the terms text , speech and discourse as competing terminologies in linguistics shed light on the powerful role of language in the formation, evaluation and dissemination of academic knowledge and questions the too-easily-assumed objectivity of research. Recently, there have been a number of studies examining lexis in new scientific fields such as biomedicine, genetics and nanotechnology and their reception in public discourse, highlighting a number of controversies that have been triggered by the use of certain terms (Felder 2006; Domasch 2007). For example, by analysing statements from a range of official medical sources related to the introduction of pre-implantation genetic diagnostics in Germany, Domasch (2007) demonstrated how certain non-medical terms such as the verb verwerfen , literally ‘to dismiss’, acquire new controversial meanings or are used in a euphemistic way to mean absterben lassen ‘allow to die’ or vernichten ‘destroy’.…”

“…Recently, there have been a number of studies examining lexis in new scientific fields such as biomedicine, genetics and nanotechnology and their reception in public discourse, highlighting a number of controversies that have been triggered by the use of certain terms (Felder 2006; Domasch 2007). For example, by analysing statements from a range of official medical sources related to the introduction of pre-implantation genetic diagnostics in Germany, Domasch (2007) demonstrated how certain non-medical terms such as the verb verwerfen , literally ‘to dismiss’, acquire new controversial meanings or are used in a euphemistic way to mean absterben lassen ‘allow to die’ or vernichten ‘destroy’.…”