LESSON 2: LANGUAGE USED IN ACADEMIC TEXTS FROM VARIOUS DISCIPLINES

Language used in academic texts can vary based on the discipline, as each field has its
own conventions and styles. Here's a general overview of the language characteristics in
different disciplines:

1. Humanities: In humanities disciplines like literature, history, philosophy, and art, the
language tends to be descriptive, analytical, and reflective. It often includes:

 Rich vocabulary to convey nuanced meanings.

 Literary devices such as metaphors, allegories, and symbolism.
 In-depth analysis and interpretation of texts, artworks, or historical events.
 Engagement with theoretical frameworks and critical perspectives.

2. Social Sciences: Social sciences encompass fields like psychology, sociology,

anthropology, and political science. The language here is often:

 Empirical and research-oriented, with a focus on data and evidence.

 Clear and precise definitions of concepts and variables.
 Use of statistical and quantitative language for data analysis.
 Discussion of theories, hypotheses, and empirical findings.

3. Business: Business and management disciplines use language that's practical,

professional, and often action-oriented:

 Clear and concise communication to convey business strategies, plans, and

proposals.
 Formal tone with a focus on practical applications and real-world examples.
 Terminology related to finance, marketing, management, and economics.

4. Science: In the natural and life sciences, language is characterized by clarity,

objectivity, and precision:

 Use of technical terms and scientific jargon to accurately describe phenomena.

 Passive voice for objectivity and emphasis on the process rather than the
researcher.
 Presentation of methodologies, data, and results in a structured manner.
 Logical explanations and references to established scientific principles.
5. Engineering: Engineering disciplines emphasize technical accuracy and problem-
solving:

 Clear, precise, and unambiguous language for conveying technical processes and
designs.
 Diagrams, charts, and equations to illustrate concepts.
 Use of standardized units and measurements for accuracy.
 Detailed descriptions of methodologies and experimental setups.

6. Mathematics: Mathematics employs a language that's formal and symbolic,

emphasizing logic and rigor:

 Symbolic notation to represent mathematical concepts and relationships.

 Logical proofs and derivations to establish the validity of mathematical
statements.
 Precise definitions and axioms to establish the foundation of mathematical
theories.

7. Technical Vocational: Technical and vocational fields use language that's practical,
process-oriented, and instructional:

 Step-by-step instructions for procedures, tasks, or processes.

 Clear explanations of technical concepts with a focus on hands-on application.
 Use of diagrams, illustrations, and schematics to aid comprehension.
 Terminology specific to the trade, craft, or technical domain.

Examples

1. Humanities: Discipline: Literature Language Style: Descriptive, Analytical, Interpretive

Example: "The protagonist's internal struggle symbolizes the broader societal tensions
of the era, reflecting the disillusionment felt by many during the post-war period."

2. Social Sciences: Discipline: Psychology Language Style: Empirical, Objective,

Analytical Example: "The study's findings suggest a significant correlation between sleep
deprivation and increased levels of anxiety, as indicated by self-reported measures and
physiological markers."

3. Business: Discipline: Marketing Language Style: Practical, Persuasive, Data-Driven

Example: "Through a comprehensive market analysis, we identify a clear consumer
demand for eco-friendly products, indicating a strategic opportunity for our company to
enhance its sustainability initiatives."

4. Science: Discipline: Biology Language Style: Technical, Precise, Evidence-Based

Example: "The enzymatic reaction exhibited a logarithmic increase in product
concentration, as validated by the linear relationship observed in the absorbance values
measured at regular intervals."

5. Engineering: Discipline: Mechanical Engineering Language Style: Technical, Solution-

Oriented, Detail-Oriented Example: "By optimizing the material composition and
adjusting operational parameters, the fatigue life of the mechanical component
increased by 25%, demonstrating the efficacy of the proposed design modification."

6. Mathematics: Discipline: Pure Mathematics Language Style: Formal, Abstract,

Theoretical Example: "The proof relies on the application of the Cauchy-Riemann
equations to establish the analyticity of the complex function within the specified
domain, thus confirming the existence of a holomorphic solution."

7. Technical Vocational: Discipline: Culinary Arts Language Style: Procedural,

Descriptive, Practical Example: "To achieve a perfectly flaky crust, gently fold the cold
butter into the flour mixture, being careful not to overwork the dough, and refrigerate
for at least 30 minutes before rolling."
**Multiple Choice Test: Language Used in Academic Texts from Various
Disciplines**

1. In which discipline is language often characterized by its descriptive, analytical, and

reflective nature?
a) Social Sciences
b) Business
c) Humanities
d) Science

2. Which academic field employs a formal tone and focuses on practical applications
and real-world examples?
a) Mathematics
b) Engineering
c) Humanities
d) Business

3. In which discipline is the use of technical terms, scientific jargon, and logical
explanations prevalent?
a) Mathematics
b) Social Sciences
c) Science
d) Technical Vocational

4. What language feature is common in engineering disciplines to illustrate technical

processes and designs?
a) Symbolic notation
b) Literary devices
c) Rich vocabulary
d) Allegories

5. What is a characteristic language trait of mathematics that emphasizes logic and

rigor?
a) Use of diagrams and schematics
b) Clear and concise communication
c) Logical proofs and derivations
d) Empirical research

6. Which field emphasizes clear explanations of technical concepts with a focus on

hands-on application?
 a) Science
b) Social Sciences
c) Technical Vocational
d) Humanities

7. What discipline often employs a passive voice to maintain objectivity and focus on the
process?
a) Humanities
b) Science
c) Mathematics
d) Engineering

8. In which field is the use of statistical and quantitative language common for data
analysis?
a) Business
b) Humanities
c) Technical Vocational
d) Mathematics

9. Which discipline is known for its presentation of methodologies, data, and results in a
structured manner?
a) Humanities
b) Social Sciences
c) Science
d) Engineering

10. What is a characteristic language feature of technical vocational fields?

a) Use of literary devices
b) Symbolic notation
c) Step-by-step instructions
d) Logical proofs and derivations

**Answer Key:**
1. c
2. d
3. c
4. a
5. c
6. c
7. b
8. a
9. c
10. c