Medical terminology in the Arab world

Abstract The cherished terminological principle of a single term for a single concept seems to be lagging behind in the Arab world despite the serious standardization steps taken to that end. Arabic medical terminology, like terminologies of other disciplines, is unfortunately still in a state of chaos due to the plurality of Arabic terms for the same scientific concept. This article attempts to describe the current state of Arabic health and medical terminology, shedding light on the political, educational and terminological practices followed to overcome this problem. It also highlights certain individual and institutional responses to issues of medical terminology and proposes a number of ways to help standardize Arabic terminology.