Olha I. Sherstiuk
Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor
at the Department of Philology
Odessa National Maritime University,
Odessa, Ukraine
e-mail: olusha972@gmail.com
ORCID ID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0482-2656
SCOPUS ID 57215859746
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24195/2616-5317-2024-39.10
SUMMARY
The article examines the features of the formation and functioning of abbreviations in international maritime communication, which are an integral part of modern shipping. Since maritime conventions regulate key aspects of activities in the maritime sector, the issue of effective communication is of paramount importance. The use of abbreviations ensures the standardization and conciseness of terminology, simplifying international communication among professionals. The study classifies abbreviations based on various criteria, including structure, origin, field of application, and graphical presentation. Specifically, it covers initialisms composed of the first letters of each word, compound abbreviations formed by combining parts of words, and mixed abbreviations that combine letters and word parts. The research reveals that this classification helps systematize abbreviations according to their purpose and application area, facilitating understanding and enhancing terminology accuracy in an international environment. Semantic analysis shows that maritime abbreviations have a clear structure, where each component carries a specific semantic meaning. Additionally, some abbreviations have synonymous, antonymous, and hypernym-hyponymic relations, enabling the structuring of terminological relationships and the creation of interconnections between concepts. It is noted that a standardized semantic structure of abbreviations is essential for the unambiguous understanding of terms in the field of maritime safety. A comparative analysis of abbreviations in various conventions, such as SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, and COLREG, reveals the specificity of each. For instance, SOLAS covers a wide range of terms related to technical equipment, MARPOL focuses on environmental terms, STCW includes qualification abbreviations, and COLREG has specific navigational terminology. These differences reflect the functional characteristics of each convention. The study demonstrates that the system of maritime abbreviations is closely linked to advanced technologies and environmental and safety requirements, indicating its further evolution towards digitalization and standardization on a global scale.
Key words: abbreviation, maritime terminology, international maritime conventions, standardization, semantic structure, classification of abbreviations.
REFERENCES
Kornodudova N. M., Baranova M. A. (2015). Struktura bahatokomponentnykh terminiv u morskii terminolohii [The structure of multicomponent terms in maritime terminology]. Pivden’ Ukrayiny: etnoistorychny, movny, kul’turny ta relihiiny vymiry [Southern Ukraine: Ethno-Historical, Linguistic, Cultural and Religious Dimensions: Collection of Scientific Works of the V International Scientific Conference, April 24–25, 2015]. Odesa: ONMU, pp. 25–29 [in Ukrainian].
Nikulina N. V. (2019). Transportna terminolohichna mehasystema: ohliad publikatsii i tematyka naukovykh rozvidok [Transport terminological megasystem: a review of publications and topics of scientific research]. Terminolohichny visnyk [Terminological Gazetteer]. Vol. 5, pp. 283–290 [in Ukrainian].
Ana Bocanegra-Valle (2011). The Language of Seafaring: Standardized Conventions and Discursive Features. Speech Communications. International Journal of English Studies. Vol. 11 (1), pp. 35–53.
Ohiienko M. (2024). Basic methods of forming maritime terms in English. Aktual’ni pytannia humanitarnykh nauk [ Humanities science current issues]. 75, Vol. 2, pp. 193–198.
Varynska A. M., Kornodudova N. N. (2019). Maritime terminology in the format of international communication. Association agreement: driving integrational changes. Collective monograph. Chicago: Accent Graphics Communications, pp. 547–566.
IMO. International Maritime Organization. List of Conventions. Retrieved from: https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/ListOfConventions.aspx (15.10.2024).