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1、Word Formation in English for Science and TechnologyWord formation is the process or result of forming newwords，which is a way of deriving linguistic units to create a newword having a semantic and formal connection with the originalunit.English for Science and Technology（hereinafter referredto as t
2、he EST）as a functional variety in modern English，itsliterary form abides by the rules of concise，precise，restrictedand impersonal，and its characteristics are embodied invocabulary and language structure.So this article is going toanalysis the usage and translation skill of the word formation.Vocabul
3、ary characteristicsIn EST，there are a large number of vocabularies of scienceand technology.These vocabularies can be divided into threekinds from application.First，it is highly-technical terms.Theseterms are used in a certain subject or profession.Second，it is asemi-technical terms which is a kind
4、of general terms of scienceand technology used in most of professions with differentmeanings.Third，much more vocabularies of the EST are fromword formation.Word formation and translation methods of the EST1.Compounding.In linguistics，compounding refers to theprocess of combining two words to create
5、a newword.Compounds are written sometimes as one word（sunspot），two hyphenated words（program-control）andtwo separate words（football stadium）.In the EST，thecompounding mainly refers to the compound nouns andadjectives.Compound nouns：program-control，laser bomb，flywheel，piggybackCompound adjectives：a ma
6、n-made satellite，fire-proofasbestos sheetsUsually，most of compound words are translated withliteral translation skill，such as the word program-control istranslated into“程序控制”and flywheel“飞轮”.However，some words should be translated with amplification skill.Fromabove，as we translate the compounding wo
7、rds of the EST，thetranslator should attach more attention to the special meaningin certain fields.2.Affixation.In linguistics，affixation refers to the process offorming a new word by the addition of a morpheme（or affix）to an already existing word.The primary kinds of affixation areprefixation（the ad
8、dition of a prefix）and suffixation（theaddition of a suffix）.Clusters of affixes can be used to formcomplex words.Prefix：eco-（=habitat）ecology；tele-（=faraway）television，telegramSuffix：Iogy（=subject）anthropology；ism（=action）metabolismMany long and complex words in the EST are made upwith affixes.Thus，
9、in translating this kind of words，it should beclear the rules of word formation.barothermograph=baro（air-pressure）+thermo（heated）+graph（graphicalrecord）3.Blending.Blending is a process of a word formed bymerging the sounds and meanings of two or more other wordsor word parts.There are five types of
10、blending as following：3.1 Combining the beginning letters.E.g.hi-tech=hightechnology3.2 The beginnings of the first word are added to the endof the other.redox=reduction oxidation conrod=connectingrod3.3 The beginnings of the first word combined withanother word.medicare=medical care internet=intern
11、ationalnet3.4 The first word combines with the last part of anotherword.newscast=news broadcast netizien=net citizien3.5 Adding first letter of each word into a new word.radar=radio detecting and ranging sonar=sound navigation rangingFor the usual blending word，translators can use reductionskill to
12、translate.However，for some words，it is not easy to findout the meaning quickly and correctly.So the translator shouldlook up more materials to get the correct meaning.4.Shortening.Shortening is the act or process of droppingone or more syllables from a word or phrase to form a shorterword with the s
13、ame meaning.4.1 Clipped words：Clipped words are words reduced toone of its parts.Fore-clipping：telephone=phone parachute=chuteBack clipping：laboratory=lab agriculture=agric4.2 Acronym.Acronyms are formed from the initial lettersof words pronounced as normal word.Al=artificial intelligenceDOS=disk op
14、erating systemWhen translate this kind of words，translators can use freetranslation（radar“雷达”）and quotation（computer-aidedtomography，people just call“CT”in daily life）.ConclusionAs the development of the science，there are many morenew words appearing in the future.We should adapt manydifferent ways
15、to learn and master them，and word formation isa critical way to master the new words.So mastering wordformation is a very important fundamental skill for translatingthe EST.References：1Fan Wuqiu.A Practical Course on EST Translation.BeijingForeign Languages Press.2001.2Liu Yi.A Dictionary of English Word Roots.Beijing ForeignLanguages Press.1999.