we can never say "a terminology"

Nessie · Wed Jul 23, 2008 19:20 pm *we can never say "a terminology"*

Hi,
It seems to me that we can never say "a terminology". Am I right?

Besides, I also can't understand when to use thw word "terminology" in the plural.
Please have a look at this sentence (from the OALD):

Scientists are constantly developing new terminologies.

=> According to its aforementioned definition (which is "the set of technical words or expressions used in a particular subject"), I think it bears in itself the plural meaning, so why must we use "terminologies" instead of "terminology" in that sentence?

Many thanks in advance.
Nessie.
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Barb_D · Wed Jul 23, 2008 19:45 pm *"terminology"*

Nessie, are you familiar with both the uncountable and countable sense of "vocabulary"? It's the same general situation.

Nessie · Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:28 am *"terminology"*

Sorry Barb, but... I don't understand what you mean... (+_+)
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Alan · Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:12 am *"terminology"*

Hi Nessie,

You can say 'a terminology' in the same way that you can say 'a definition' or 'a description'. What's the problem? Agreed 'terminology' is a bundle of special words but then you can also have different types of terminology, can't you.

Alan
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Nessie · Sun Jul 27, 2008 18:47 pm *"terminology"*

Ralf · Sun Jul 27, 2008 19:28 pm *"terminology"*

Hi Nessie,

A single term is part of the whole terminology. In football terminology, for example, a 'utility player' is a term used to describe a versatile player who can play almost any position. More terms of football terminology include 'offside', 'winger', 'diver', 'stoppage time', 'the box' etc
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Nessie · Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:38 am *"terminology"*

Thanks a lot, Ralf Smile

So when we say "a terminology", we refer to a set of terms in a particular subject?
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Ralf · Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:03 pm *"terminology"*

Indeed we do! 'A data server can be used as a terminology tool to export particular terms (data) easily'.
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