Organizer: the board of European Association for Terminology (EAFT)
In an era when AI is being discussed all over both as a possible helper and a possible replacement for “real” terminologists, it is interesting to discuss the traditional methods and HI (human intelligence) in terminology work, e.g. when a group discusses and reaches consensus about terminology (concept systems, definitions, terms etc.).
An interest in reaching consensus and methods for doing so are not new[1] (e.g. Pierre Lewalle spoke about the Delphi method at the Conference for a terminology infrastructure in Europe in 2000[2]), but recently[3] research has been done on how terminology consensus happen and the role of the terminologist in expert meetings in what could be called a sort of “sociology of terminology” (cf. sociology of translation). Existing terminologist profiles have also been updated with soft skills, e.g. facilitation and elicitation, but this need to be studied and researched more. Therefore, a closer look at the role of the “human in the terminology loop” is motivated.
Conceptsus is the title of a workshop where we discuss these and other related matters, e.g.
- When is consensus needed in terminology work? And how is it achieved?
- How can consensus-making and roles in terminology meetings be studied?
- What are typical terminological conflicts, why do they appear and how can they be solved?
- What soft skills are needed for terminologists in order to handle conflict and achieve consensus in terminology?
- Consensus vs diversity and variation in terminology
The workshop is intended for terminologists and others who work with concept analysis, definitions and terms in groups of human experts.
Following some keynote presentations, other participants are welcome to present shorter papers on the above subjects. The event is arranged in hybrid mode at the University of Vaasa campus and in Zoom.
If you are interested in presenting a paper, please send a draft (of 150-200 words, in English) via electric form by December 8, 2025. Papers can be published in the EAFT Journal TSR (Terminology Science & Research).
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[1] Shaw & Gaines: Comparing conceptual structures: consensus, conflict, correspondence and contrast, 1989; Costa, Silva & Barros: Mediation strategies between terminologists and experts, 2012
[2] Coherence interne et multidiscplinarité : les mérites du travail en réseau, 2000
[3] Byrman & Nord 2025; Tonin 2024; Nilsson 2022