Natural Sciences terminology: from novelty to seniority

Abstract

The object of this article is to demonstrate the existing dynamic in the denomination process within the field of Natural Sciences – a vast field of knowledge that, on the one hand, presents a long history – considering it includes fields like Biology, Physics and Chemistry – and, on the other hand, covers a vast amount of recent research – such as the great progress in the use of diverse energy sources, in genome studies and on climate change. Thus, it is a field that deals with already established and old terms at the same time as it has to incorporate new concepts. This article is a descriptive study on the lexical innovation of this vast knowledge area. It tries to demonstrate that, just as it happens in the construction of the science, the denomination process does not leave out what is already known, but it reshapes and specifies it, aiming at meeting experts needs.