IT Terminology As A Linguistic And Technological Construct

Abstract

This article explores Information Technology (IT) terminology as a linguistic–technological construct, arguing that the language of technology is shaped not only by systems of code but also by human cognition, communication, and culture. Drawing on Richards (2015) and Du Toit et al. (2025), the study examines how IT terms such as interface, process, and network evolve through mechanisms of metaphor, semantic extension, and specialization, leading to what Richards defines as terminological dissonance—a condition where multiple “right” meanings coexist. The study combines linguistic and cognitive perspectives to show that IT vocabulary not only reflects technical practice but also shapes how professionals conceptualize technology. These insights can inform multilingual terminology teaching and digital communication strategies.

Methodologically, the article employs a comparative conceptual synthesis combining linguistic analysis of IT terminology with multilingual education studies. Analytical tools such as glossary comparison, term clustering, and semantic mapping are proposed to reveal semantic relationships and contextual shifts. The findings reaffirm that IT terminology functions as both a linguistic and technological system—simultaneously enabling machine precision and human interpretation.