Wüster’s View of Terminology

Abstract

The article presents some aspects of the General Theory of Terminology, whose author, Eugen Wüster (1898–1977), is considered the father of modern terminology. The article first presents his life and work and then also the principal aspects of Wüster’s approach to terminology through citations from his articles and monographs: his utilitarian view of special languages, the emphasis laid on the onomasiological approach to terminology, the notion of concept as the pivotal notion of Wüster’s theory, his attitude towards the polysemy, homonymy and synonymy as well as some other important aspects that shaped his view of terminology.