Japanese industrial technical terms: Word formation, word type and word pedagogical applications

Abstract

In Thailand, Japanese learners need to attend trainings or internships at respectable Japanese companies. Previous research has found problems with comprehension of technical terms, but there are no studies on how technical terms can confuse learners or pose difficulties for them. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze word formation and word types of Japanese technical terms in industries, simplifying what makes technical terms difficult for learners in terms of their morphological knowledge, and offering a way to teach these terms and also enhance learners’ understanding of them based upon morphological knowledge. The results have shown that regarding Japanese technical terms, Sino-Japanese or Kango were found most often when compared to other word types, such as hybrids, loanwords, or native words. In regards to word formation, compounding is the most common. The difficulties of technical terms could be divided into four types: unfamiliarity with Kango, changing forms into hybrids, the different meanings of loanwords, and a lack of knowledge of the intra-structure of compounds, affixes, and clippings. The test of morphological knowledge by the University of Washington was adapted into learning drills to enhance the knowledge of word types and word formation.