Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
ICT technologies
English answer:
ICTs (for purists) OR ICT technologies (for those who follow convention)
Added to glossary by
Deborah Workman
Aug 28, 2007 10:31
16 yrs ago
37 viewers *
English term
ICT technologies
English
Tech/Engineering
IT (Information Technology)
I have a text (a report of a European institution) where the phrase "ICT technologies" is repeated countless times.
ICT in this case means "information and communication technologies", so actually we get "information and communication technologies technologies". I think this is a grotesque verbosity.
I would like to hear what native speakers have to say about "ICT technologies". In case it is not correct English, I could point this out to the author.
I have to add, though, that I have found this kind of redundancy in a few (I mean-three) supposedly respectable sources:
...as potential opportunities for cross-border learning have been enhanced by an increased take-up of ICT technologies.
(Oxford Handbook of International Business )
It is sometimes assumed that the diffusion of new ICT technologies will ‘kill distance’ and induce a massive wave of relocation and transformation of the product chain.
(Amable, Bruno, The Diversity of Modern Capitalism)
The new ICT technologies have redefined our notions of time and distance.
(Governments, Globalization, and International Business)
All books published by Oxford University Press.
ICT in this case means "information and communication technologies", so actually we get "information and communication technologies technologies". I think this is a grotesque verbosity.
I would like to hear what native speakers have to say about "ICT technologies". In case it is not correct English, I could point this out to the author.
I have to add, though, that I have found this kind of redundancy in a few (I mean-three) supposedly respectable sources:
...as potential opportunities for cross-border learning have been enhanced by an increased take-up of ICT technologies.
(Oxford Handbook of International Business )
It is sometimes assumed that the diffusion of new ICT technologies will ‘kill distance’ and induce a massive wave of relocation and transformation of the product chain.
(Amable, Bruno, The Diversity of Modern Capitalism)
The new ICT technologies have redefined our notions of time and distance.
(Governments, Globalization, and International Business)
All books published by Oxford University Press.
Change log
Aug 31, 2007 22:05: Deborah Workman Created KOG entry
Responses
+1
14 hrs
Selected
ICTs (for purists) OR ICT technologies (for those who follow convention)
In documents I have worked on the authors have considered ICT single and ICTs is used as the plural. If you are a purist you could therefore use ICTs. But since "ICT technologies" is widely used in spite of the fact that it is redundant (just as "GPS system" is redundant of the "S"), you won't be wrong using it even if you're not "pure".
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Michael Powers (PhD)
: This is nice compromise. In parentheses (prescriptivists) ICT or ICTs; (descipritivists) ICT Technologies
5 mins
|
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to everyone for their response. This is the case where an option to split points would be really useful, as I am not competent to choose the "correct"answer when native speakers do not agree. :). So I opted for the "compromise". Thanks again!"
+3
3 mins
delete technologies
You are right this is sloppy and should be stamped out!
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Marie-Hélène Hayles
: An analogous example is "PIN number", which I would also avoid at all costs. Michael may be correct that "ICT technologies" is widely used, but I doubt that IT professionals wouldn't understand ICT used as a stand-alone abreviation!
7 mins
|
Thanks
|
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neutral |
William [Bill] Gray
: If you remove it, you have the problem of referring to several technologies as "ICTs", which is less than elegant, and not completely enlightening. The usage within the educational sector has opted for the "double-T" form!
17 mins
|
maybe in those cases one could go for Ken's suggestion of writing it out in full.
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agree |
Buck
47 mins
|
Thanks
|
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disagree |
David Moore (X)
: Sorry Mark, but I'm one of those in Bill's camp; I don't like it, but it is FAR too common to try and "do a Canute"...
1 hr
|
Hey, my seat's getting wet!
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agree |
Valters Feists
: Plus, it's perhaps just a myth that the sloppy (and ink-wasting) usage has taken over. Google for: "modern ict" (many) and for "modern ict technology/-ies" (fewer!).
3 hrs
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Thanks
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agree |
Polangmar
: That's right.
7 hrs
|
Thanks
|
11 mins
leave as is or reword
This sort of formal duplication of terms is quite common (and not just in English), especially in relatively informal contexts, and many people find it perfectly acceptable. However, the redundancy could be eliminated by using 'ICT' by itself (eliminate 'technologies'), rewording to separate 'technologies' from 'ICT, úsing 'informatics' instead of 'ICT', or replacing 'technologies' with a term such as methods, techniques, systems, approaches, solutions, etc.
Whatever you do, don't use 'IC technologies', since it has a completely different meaning.
Whatever you do, don't use 'IC technologies', since it has a completely different meaning.
3 hrs
The way my company does it....
In any publication that my company handles, the process for this sort of thing is:
1. First use in the article, spell it out and then put the abbreviation in parentheses.
2. From then on, use the abbreviation.
From your use, you are objecting to the use of double "technologies." As an American, this does not disturb me, but then again, I am not a purist when it comes to language, only getting the thought across is imperative, and this does get the thought across.
Personally, I would NOT have left the term "ICT technologies" but would have spelled it out the first time and then used "ICT" throughout the rest of the text.
Nobody says "IC circuits" but rather "ICs" now. That would be my guideline.
My thought from the USA.
1. First use in the article, spell it out and then put the abbreviation in parentheses.
2. From then on, use the abbreviation.
From your use, you are objecting to the use of double "technologies." As an American, this does not disturb me, but then again, I am not a purist when it comes to language, only getting the thought across is imperative, and this does get the thought across.
Personally, I would NOT have left the term "ICT technologies" but would have spelled it out the first time and then used "ICT" throughout the rest of the text.
Nobody says "IC circuits" but rather "ICs" now. That would be my guideline.
My thought from the USA.
+3
5 mins
ICT Technologies
Technically, you are right; however, as profession, this is what is used. Descriptive usage prevails in this case. Possibly most IT individuals are ruminating about other matters, and not the redundancy that interests us.
Mike :)
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 mins (2007-08-28 10:44:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
On the other hand, languages are inherently accurate. Look at the use of the plural marker in English.
Three chairs are in the room.
We already know that "chairs" is plural since it is preceded by "three". So, why change the verb to plural? Why add an "s" to "chair"?
Languages are inherently redundant to facilitate communication.
Please do not get me wrong. I am not advocating unnecessary redundancy. On the other hand, a phrase that is so entrenched in the professional argot such s the one you mentioned, cannot simply be changed because those of us that are more linguistically sensitive so desire to change it.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 29 mins (2007-08-28 11:00:22 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Excuse me - I meant to say, languages are inherently redundant.
I don't believe we can police the inevitable. Language is dynamic. Hence, when an entire group of professionals use certain lexical features in certain ways, it is like a tsunami - it grows into its own force and nothing will stop it.
In the example of redundancy I gave earlier, although logical, most of us would not insist on saying: "Three chair be in the room." And this is in spite of the fact that the standard sentence that is used is highly redundant.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 hrs (2007-08-28 21:49:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Formal Usage:
Cambridge University
he aim of this workshop was to train practice-based researchers in the performing arts to make better use of ICT technologies that support live collaboration in performance situations. The workshop leaders were Julio D'Escrivan and Richard Hoadley of Anglia Ruskin University; Ian Cross of the Cambridge University Centre for Music and Science; and Alan Blackwell of the Crucible network for Research in Interdisciplinary Design.
The workshop was based in the recently-upgraded music technology teaching facility at Anglia Ruskin University, which contained two group studios each equipped with nine G5 dual-processor Macintoshes. Collaborative facilities included networked sound processing with studio monitors, local MIDI keyboards and audio processors on each workstation, shared headphones for pair work, and central video projection facilities.
The workshop was structured to include a range of participants including technical specialists in the use of SuperCollider and Max/MSP, professional exponents of mixed genre performance and a small selection of practitioners from other performance genres such as poetry, live video art and others. Participants were provided at the start of the day with a broad range of inexpensive sensors, and a short hands-on introduction to the process of interfacing these to performance software such as SuperCollider. The workshop was then be divided into mixed discipline teams for hands-on development and instruction, ensuring that programmers did not ‘race ahead’ of performing collaborators. In the course of the day, the whole group shared experiences during unstructured breaks, with a structured sharing of experiences in the final session. Throughout the day, work in progress was captured and shared by facilitators moving from team to team. The overall ambition was to emulate a ‘collaboration masterclass’ as the most appropriate model for practice-based research workshops applying technology in the performing arts.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
PDF]
"Impact of Emerging Information and Communication Technologies on ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
The emerging ICT technologies/tools considered are: modelling and simulation, ... (PhD) in Physiology from Oxford University. He is currently a Professor of ...
ec.europa.eu/.../events/ict_bio_2006/docs/satellite-events/patient-safety_cvs_abstracts_photos.pdf - Similar pages - Note this
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
PDF]
Barriers to ICT Diffusion to Poor People
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
meeting took place on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge Mass. ... ICT technologies have become fundamental infrastructure for doing business in ...
www.idrc.ca/uploads/user-S/10787612051Harvard_Forum_2003_-_... - Similar pages - Note this
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
PDF]
"Impact of Emerging Information and Communication Technologies on ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
The emerging ICT technologies/tools considered are: modelling and simulation, ... (PhD) in Physiology from Oxford University. He is currently a Professor of ...
ec.europa.eu/.../events/ict_bio_2006/docs/satellite-events/patient-safety_cvs_abstracts_photos.pdf - Similar pages - Note this
Mike :)
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 mins (2007-08-28 10:44:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
On the other hand, languages are inherently accurate. Look at the use of the plural marker in English.
Three chairs are in the room.
We already know that "chairs" is plural since it is preceded by "three". So, why change the verb to plural? Why add an "s" to "chair"?
Languages are inherently redundant to facilitate communication.
Please do not get me wrong. I am not advocating unnecessary redundancy. On the other hand, a phrase that is so entrenched in the professional argot such s the one you mentioned, cannot simply be changed because those of us that are more linguistically sensitive so desire to change it.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 29 mins (2007-08-28 11:00:22 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Excuse me - I meant to say, languages are inherently redundant.
I don't believe we can police the inevitable. Language is dynamic. Hence, when an entire group of professionals use certain lexical features in certain ways, it is like a tsunami - it grows into its own force and nothing will stop it.
In the example of redundancy I gave earlier, although logical, most of us would not insist on saying: "Three chair be in the room." And this is in spite of the fact that the standard sentence that is used is highly redundant.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 hrs (2007-08-28 21:49:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Formal Usage:
Cambridge University
he aim of this workshop was to train practice-based researchers in the performing arts to make better use of ICT technologies that support live collaboration in performance situations. The workshop leaders were Julio D'Escrivan and Richard Hoadley of Anglia Ruskin University; Ian Cross of the Cambridge University Centre for Music and Science; and Alan Blackwell of the Crucible network for Research in Interdisciplinary Design.
The workshop was based in the recently-upgraded music technology teaching facility at Anglia Ruskin University, which contained two group studios each equipped with nine G5 dual-processor Macintoshes. Collaborative facilities included networked sound processing with studio monitors, local MIDI keyboards and audio processors on each workstation, shared headphones for pair work, and central video projection facilities.
The workshop was structured to include a range of participants including technical specialists in the use of SuperCollider and Max/MSP, professional exponents of mixed genre performance and a small selection of practitioners from other performance genres such as poetry, live video art and others. Participants were provided at the start of the day with a broad range of inexpensive sensors, and a short hands-on introduction to the process of interfacing these to performance software such as SuperCollider. The workshop was then be divided into mixed discipline teams for hands-on development and instruction, ensuring that programmers did not ‘race ahead’ of performing collaborators. In the course of the day, the whole group shared experiences during unstructured breaks, with a structured sharing of experiences in the final session. Throughout the day, work in progress was captured and shared by facilitators moving from team to team. The overall ambition was to emulate a ‘collaboration masterclass’ as the most appropriate model for practice-based research workshops applying technology in the performing arts.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
PDF]
"Impact of Emerging Information and Communication Technologies on ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
The emerging ICT technologies/tools considered are: modelling and simulation, ... (PhD) in Physiology from Oxford University. He is currently a Professor of ...
ec.europa.eu/.../events/ict_bio_2006/docs/satellite-events/patient-safety_cvs_abstracts_photos.pdf - Similar pages - Note this
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
PDF]
Barriers to ICT Diffusion to Poor People
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
meeting took place on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge Mass. ... ICT technologies have become fundamental infrastructure for doing business in ...
www.idrc.ca/uploads/user-S/10787612051Harvard_Forum_2003_-_... - Similar pages - Note this
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
PDF]
"Impact of Emerging Information and Communication Technologies on ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
The emerging ICT technologies/tools considered are: modelling and simulation, ... (PhD) in Physiology from Oxford University. He is currently a Professor of ...
ec.europa.eu/.../events/ict_bio_2006/docs/satellite-events/patient-safety_cvs_abstracts_photos.pdf - Similar pages - Note this
Peer comment(s):
agree |
William [Bill] Gray
: Yes. The ICT abbrev. has taken on a life of its own, and we now have technologies which are considered to be related to it. This is especially true in the educational sector.
9 mins
|
Thank you, Bill - Mike :)
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agree |
Jack Doughty
16 mins
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Thank you, Jack - Mike :)
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agree |
David Moore (X)
: This (sadly, IMHO) has to join the other "repeaters", such as "VIN number", "PIN number" and so on...
1 hr
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Thank you, David - no need to get depressed though. We need to "accept what we cannot change, ..." - Mike :)
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agree |
Alexander Demyanov
3 hrs
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Thank you, Alexander - Mike :)
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agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
6 hrs
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Thank you, Marju - Mike :)
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disagree |
Polangmar
: 1. Not in a formal text. 2. We don't say "US states":)
7 hrs
|
It definitely IS USED in formal texts, including Oxford University, Cambridge University, Harvard University, etc. The fact we don't say U.S. States is inmaterial - educated people in formal situations DO SAY ICT Technologies. - Mike :)
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disagree |
Valters Feists
: Q: How does the redundancy improve these university texts? Were they written by IT/telecom professionals - or by, e.g., sociologists? Also note that *not always* have they written "ICT technologies".
14 hrs
|
IMHO redundancy does not improve it. However, as a Ph.D. in linguistics, it is my belief we should describe the most common educated usage by professionals in the field. I believe that is what we have here. If you disagree with my premise, I understand.
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Discussion
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