Structural-Semantic Adaptation of Selected Persian Equivalents of the Third Academy Against English Terms: A Study of Prefixes

In the present research, Persian prefixes selected by the Academy of Persian Language and Literature (Third Academy) have been analyzed against English prefixes. This research has been done with a construction-based approach and within the framework of the theory of constructional morphology, and word formation patterns have been explained based on structural-semantic schemas using a descriptive-analytical method. The data of the research was taken from the seventeen books of Third Academy in the form of full enumeration (51200 words). The findings of the research indicate that about 4319 approved words were created by the prefix addition method. By adding 16 prefixes and 51 prefixoid, the Third Academy has used 67 active and semi-active prefixes and prefixes in the construction of words approved by the Third Academy, which is not enough to make scientific words. The multiplicity of Farsi prefix derivatives compared to English prefixes, the semantic-structural heterogeneity of Persian prefixes compared to English, as well as the contradiction of some of them with the principles and rules of word selection are other findings of the research that can be mentioned.
Introduction
The advancement of technology in the world is the main reason for the introduction of foreign words and the evolution of language. The indiscriminate entry of foreign words and terms can hinder the growth and prosperity of a language in the long run and can also cause its identity to be less clear. However, borrowing in moderation in any language is not only not a defect, but also enriches that language and expands its lexical range. Today, most of the specialized words in different fields enter the Persian language from English, and these two languages have similar word formation processes. One of the similarities between Persian and English in the field of word formation is the use of derivation and combination processes in both languages. The derivational affixes of the language, like simple words, have a structural and semantic skeleton. In the field of science, wordsmiths rely on the accuracy and correctness of the meaning of words; Therefore, it seems that in translation or equivalence, the main concept should be preserved, and the created equivalent should have sufficient transparency. A language that lacks terms in some fields, over time, loses the ability to communicate in that particular field. The Academy of Persian Language and Literature (the Third Academy), with the aim of preserving and expanding the Persian language, has focused more on the language of science, which is a kind of artificial and conscious language. In this research, we intend to examine the selected Persian equivalents of the Third Academy against English terms from a structural-semantic point of view in order to understand the angles of word formation in Persian grammar and the potential and actual capabilities of the Persian language in word formation.
Methodology
According to the results, this research is of the type of applied research and based on the goal, it is exploratory. The research method is descriptive-analytical and in the manner of qualitative analysis. This research is investigated based on structural-semantic and on the basis of the theory of constructional morphology of G. Booij (2010-2016), which is a theory of word-based and construction-based morphology. Using the concept of construction and abstract schemas, constructional morphology is very efficient for analyzing morphological phenomena and justifying the meaning of non-simple words. The basis of this research is the principles and rules of word selection of the Third Academy and the principles and policies of Infoterm regarding terminology formation and word formation, and Webster and Oxford dictionaries are important sources of this research. The data of this research were taken from the seventeen books of the Persian Language and Literature Academy in the form of full enumeration (51,200 terms).
Results
In connection with terminology formation and standardization, first of all, we have examined the theoretical foundations and scientific framework of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature. Based on the findings of the research, the Council of the Third Academy has compiled and approved nine principles in the matter of word selection to be the basis and guide for the work, which is in sync with the principles and policies of Infoterm. These principles include transparency, coherence, appropriateness, derivability, brevity (linguistic economy), linguistic correctness, and native language preference. The tendency of the Third Academy word choice overlaps with the Vienna school of word choice to some extent. Studies conducted on approved terms show that out of 51,200 approved terms, about 4,319 terms were made with the prefix addition method. By adding 16 prefixes and 51 prefixoids, the Third Academy has used 67 active and semi-active prefixes and prefixoids in the construction of terms approved by the Third Academy.
Conclusion
The findings indicate that the Persian language, like other Indo-European languages, is not rich in terms of prefixes and cannot fully meet the needs of Persian scientific language. For this reason, a Persian prefix is equivalent to several English prefixes. The Terminology Formation Department of the Third Academy has made a commendable effort in this field and has taken a step towards enriching the language of science by innovating and recovering dead prefixes, borrowing prefixes, and adding nominal and verbal prefixoids to the list of Persian language prefixes. But today's world is a world of progress, and scientific knowledge is needed to move forward; scientific knowledge also needs a scientific language. In order to improve the language of Persian science and empower it, it is necessary to enrich terms, which is one of the most important methods of word formation in inflected languages, and in this way, borrowing from classical languages (Greek and Latin) and languages of science can be an important step in enriching the language of Persian science. The acceptance of Persian language from classical languages gives this language the ability of Compounding and Affixability. In the studies conducted, the structural-semantic inequality of selected Persian prefixes has been seen against English prefixes, and due to the lack of richness of Persian language prefixes, prefix standardization has not been done, and the use of multiple Persian prefixes is observed compared to English prefixes. Sometimes choosing a prefix has been contrary to the principles and rules of word selection of the Third Academy. The main method of word formation in the Third Academy is selection and innovation in the construction of approved terms, which is less observed. One of the main processes in increasing the number of database terms of a language is standardization, which can be used as an effective tool to improve and organize Persian vocabulary. Therefore, the organization and standardization of languages, i.e., the selection of only one Persian (prefix) against an English (prefix), is one of the important issues to be addressed. Taking advantage of ancient and middle languages and making denominal and deadjectival infinitives, and linguistic innovation is one of the ways of word formation that if it is aligned and accompanied by the supervision and pioneering of the academy, it is possible that great steps will be taken in finding the equivalent of foreign terms and generating and increasing Persian terms.