Digital Humanities

Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) refers to a specialized area within applied linguistics that focuses on the specific linguistic needs of particular professional or academic groups, distinct from general language use. Here are some key aspects that define LSP:

1) Specialized Vocabulary and Structures: LSP involves language that contains terminology, phrases, and grammatical structures specific to a particular field, such as medicine, law, engineering, business, or academic research.

Examples of language specificity in different professional fields:

Academic Writing

• Complex sentences with multiple clauses to convey detailed information and relationships between ideas.
• Passive voice to focus on the action or result rather than the actor, especially in scientific writing.
• Nominalization, where verbs or adjectives are converted into nouns to create a more formal tone.

Legal Language

• Highly complex sentence structures, often with multiple nested clauses.
• Modal verbs (such as shall, must, may) to indicate obligations, rights, or possibilities.
• Precise and archaic vocabulary, sometimes leading to long and dense noun phrases:

Herein, Hereof, Hereunder, Hereto – these words are used to refer to matters within the document.

Said, Such, Aforementioned – these are often used instead of simpler pronouns or references to previously mentioned subjects.

Shall, Hereby, Wherein – used to express obligation or to refer to specific sections of a document.

Witnesseth, Know all men by these presents – phrases often found in the opening of legal documents, although they are becoming less common.

Latin is still used for certain legal terms and principles, such as "habeas corpus" (you shall have the body), "pro bono" (for the public good), "in loco parentis" (in the place of a parent), and "prima facie" (at first sight).

Business Communication

• Direct and clear sentence structures in business correspondence to convey messages efficiently.
• Conditional structures (if-then statements) for proposals, negotiations, or discussing potential scenarios.
• Imperatives for instructions or directives, especially in memos or emails.

Technical Writing

• Sequential and procedural grammar structures for instructions and manuals (e.g., first, next, finally).
• Present simple tense for universal truths and instructions.
• Infinitives and gerunds for instructions and guidelines.

Journalistic Writing

• Inverted pyramid structure, starting with the most newsworthy information (who, what, when, where, why, and how) and then adding details.
• Active voice for a more immediate and engaging tone.
• Short sentences and paragraphs for readability and emphasis.

Medical Communication

• Specialized terminology often formed from Latin or Greek roots.
• Passive structures when describing procedures or patient conditions.
• Use of conditionals for discussing diagnoses, treatments, and patient care scenarios.

Scientific Research Papers

• Use of the present tense to discuss established knowledge or general truths.
• Past tense for describing specific methods, experiments, and results.
• Passive voice to emphasize the process or findings over the researcher's actions.

 

2) Purpose-Driven Communication: The use of language in LSP is closely tied to specific objectives and tasks relevant to a particular professional or academic field. The language is tailored to efficiently and accurately convey information pertinent to these objectives.

Linguistic characteristics of purpose-driven communication:

Clarity and Precision: Language is used in a clear, precise manner to avoid ambiguity. This is especially important in fields like law, science, and business, where misunderstandings can have significant consequences.

Conciseness: Communication is often concise, with a focus on delivering information efficiently. Superfluous details are avoided to maintain the focus on the core message or objective.

Formality and Professionalism: In many contexts, especially professional ones, a formal tone is used to convey seriousness and respect. This includes the use of professional jargon or technical terms relevant to the field.

Objective Tone: Emotional language is typically minimized in favor of an objective, factual style. This helps in maintaining professionalism and ensuring that the information is received and interpreted based on its merits.

Jargon and Technical Language: Specialized vocabulary or jargon pertinent to the specific field or audience is commonly used. This allows for precise, succinct communication among experts but can be confusing for outsiders.

Target Audience Consideration: The language is tailored to the knowledge level and interests of the intended audience. For a general audience, technical terms might be explained or simplified, while for a specialized audience, more complex terminology and concepts might be used directly.

Structured and Organized: Purpose-driven communication is often well-structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This structure aids in guiding the audience through the information in a logical, coherent manner.

Call to Action: In many cases, such as marketing or advocacy, the language includes a clear call to action, guiding the audience towards a desired response or behaviour.

Persuasive Elements: Depending on the purpose, persuasive language might be used to influence the audience's beliefs, attitudes, or actions. This includes the use of rhetorical devices, compelling arguments, and motivational appeals.

Cultural Sensitivity: The language is often crafted with an awareness of cultural norms and expectations, especially in international or multicultural contexts.

3) Audience and Context Awareness: LSP is characterized by its focus on the needs and background of its audience, which is usually composed of professionals or academics within a specific field. This awareness influences the choice of vocabulary, level of technicality, and mode of communication.

4) Pragmatic and Functional Approach: LSP emphasizes the pragmatic and functional use of language. It focuses on enabling effective communication within a specific domain, often prioritizing clarity, precision, and efficiency over stylistic elements of language.

5) Interdisciplinary Nature: LSP often intersects with various disciplines, requiring an understanding of both linguistic principles and the specific knowledge domain it serves.

6) Cultural and Contextual Sensitivity: LSP is sensitive to the cultural and situational contexts in which the language is used, acknowledging that different fields may have unique communicative conventions and expectations.

7) Dynamic and Evolving: As fields of study and industries evolve, so does the LSP associated with them. It is a dynamic area of study, constantly adapting to new developments, terminologies, and communication needs of specific sectors.