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Latin and Greek as the Basis for International Medical Terminology

Publication at Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové |
2011

Abstract

The continual progress of medicine constantly places new demands on its professional language. At the beginning of the development of medical terminology, Greek was of the utmost importance, while Latin joined later.

The role of classical languages in medical terminology is irreplaceable even to this day. The reason is not only tradition but especially the ability to articulate at once precisely and briefly while preserving the requirement of expressive and esthetic neutrality.

Newly formed words derive particularly from Latin and Greek elements. In the 17. and 18. centuries French, German and English gained prominence in addition to Latin as the language of science.

The importance of English is principal nowadays.