Given the pace of change in science and technology and the increasingly rapid flow of information generally, the creation of multilingual dictionaries of terminology deserve high priority. This claim is corroborated by the number of specialised dictionaries which are currently in use. Our dictionary enables researchers to discuss applied terminology, facilitates the exchange of information and aides translation. It contributes to the dissemination of information and furthers scientific development.
On the Project
The shortage of multilingual thesauri hampers international scientific contact and causes problems with translation. The extant dictionaries have multiple limitations: they are difficult to access, impossible to modify, have no representative collection of terms, lack equivalents in different languages and coherence among scientific terminology. Trailblazing research is a source of cherished scientific experiments and discoveries, but the development of science constantly needs new comparative material and the lack of it damages all disciplines.

We are currently working on a ground-breaking new multilingual dictionary system designed for professional use. On the basis of our earlier enquiries, comparative research, specialized knowledge and foreign language competences, we are involved in translation research in order to find equivalent terms with which we are creating a dictionary which lacks the flaws mentioned above. As a result of our research, a database of scientific terminology will be created containing terminology in Polish, English, German, Italian and French. The coherent lexical tool developed within the scope of the project will enable efficient management of available records. We believe it will become a necessary tool for those devising scientific papers, or involved in documentary research requiring the use of strictly specified professional and scientific vocabulary.

We chose art restoration initially, as it is an interdisciplinary science and within the field it is necessary to deal with the specifics of arts and sciences, as well as technical and technological disciplines. The software enabling work on the collection of lexical items was prepared in such a way that the dictionary can be published on the CUT website. The basic premise for the creation of the dictionary - and its future availability - is centred around its practical use. The modern hierarchical system of organisation we employ will allow the creation of multilingual terminology databases in any field of science. The system will facilitate the exchange of information between scientists and its open nature provides the option of modifying content by adding new entries, or their equivalents. The software model devised for the project arose by considering the specificity, function and possible future uses of the dictionary. It will enable the future development of specialist programs capable of far more than just term searching! Multilingual dictionaries exist to serve in the development of scientific disciplines and to facilitate the exchange of information. In future, when we have secured additional funding and published the website, the project’s dictionary will be available to a worldwide audience and we expect its development to continue with the addition of many more disciplines and languages.

At the moment the system contains around 10 000 entries and their equivalents in English, Polish and German and additionally ca 4 000 entries in Italian in French.