| The main objective of this dissertation is to explore and analyze the reception of Eugen Wuster's work with the goal of explaining how it has influenced the development of terminology as a discipline. In the history of terminology, Wuster's work, especially his general theory of terminology, has been an inspiration for terminology research studies. Nowadays, the reactions to Wuster's work have been both positive and negative. His legacy is still considered the cornerstone in the field of terminology.;Our specific undertaking is to explore the reception of Wuster's work by studying what has been said about it in the academic literature written in English, French and Spanish, between 1979 and 2009, in Europe and the Americas. This study, carried out within the context of debate on the reception of Wuster's work, focuses on analyzing the responses to and comments on his work. It takes into account his work, its positive and negative reception, new theoretical approaches to terminology and studies that have concentrated on analyzing the state of the art of terminology. The research process follows an exploratory method, focusing on studying texts where authors quote, cite or make reference to Wuster's work. It also falls under descriptive research studies as it accurately portrays the characteristics of the debate around the reception of his work.;The results are revealing, and lead to a more refined view of what comprises the reception of Wuster's work. First, Wuster is recognized as an important founding figure in modern terminology, as a pioneer of terminology standardization, and as the first author to propose a theory of terminology. Second, an adequate contextualization is an essential starting point for an accurate and appropriate appreciation of Wuster's contribution to the development of the discipline. Third, results uncovered how new theoretical approaches to terminology have coped with advances in technology and science. These approaches have also identified new methods, methodologies, applications and uses for terminology. Forth, a sample study of 166 academic journal articles confirms that Wuster work has generated mixed reactions in Europe and the Americas, and that its reception has been more positive than negative. Results indicate a strong interest in criticizing Wuster's work, yet a lack of familiarity with it seems to exist.;The "methodology of scientific research programmes" proposed by Lakatos (1978), applied as an interpretive model, demonstrates that the reception of Wuster's contribution to terminology has influenced the development of the academic field and that terminology is now perceived as a research programme. The main conclusion is that terminology has undergone substantial changes leading, in Lakatos' terms, to a stronger theoretical and descriptive discipline. |
