Names of Science - Terminology and Language in the History of the Natural Sciences

The history of science is echoed in the development of its language and the names chosen for its technical terms. This book examines in detail how new words entered the scientific vocabulary and how some, but not all, have survived to the present.

List of contents

• Preface


• Introduction: Some linguistic terms


• 1: Issues of science, history, and language


• 2: Electicity and electromagnetism


• 3: Fundamental particles


• 4: More physics names


• 5: Worlds and words of chemistry


• 6: Heavenly sciences


• Bibliography


• Index

About the author

Helge Kragh has worked as Professor of History of Science at the University of Oslo, Norway, and Aarhus University, Denmark, and is presently Emeritus Professor at the University of Copenhagen. Since 2001 he has been a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, and 2008-2010 he served as President of the European Society for History of Science. Most of his research has focused on the historical development of post-1800 physics, chemistry, astronomy, and cosmology.

Summary

The history of science is echoed in the development of its language and the names chosen for its technical terms. This book examines in detail how new words entered the scientific vocabulary and how some, but not all, have survived to the present.

Additional text

An important and welcome publication.

Product details

• Authors: Helge Kragh, Prof Helge (Emeritus Professor of History o Kragh
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 04.07.2024
• EAN: 9780198917441
• ISBN: 978-0-19-891744-1
• No. of pages: 352
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics; SCIENCE / History, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Social Aspects, History of Science, Historical & comparative linguistics, Impact of science & technology on society, Impact of science and technology on society, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Technology Studies, Historical and comparative linguistics