Zootecnia

19:35 Jun 7, 2009 

I really enjoyed discussing this topic with you - not the word per se, but what is behind choosing the correct term. I'd like to point out this is a college transcript and the terms listed in the definition in Am. Heritage Dictionary breeding, improvement etc... are listed as distinct disciplines.

BTW, I totally agree with you.

Have a great week!

12:49 Jun 7, 2009 

...the English Language (Third Edition) has an entry, and I'd imagine it might not be the only monolingual dictionary that does. It would be interesting to know what an Oxford or Cambridge might say (if any colleagues with these dictionaries would like to "chime in"). In the meantime, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, zootechnics is a synonym of "zootechny," a term it defines as follows:
zootechny (zo´e-tèk´nê) noun
The domestication, breeding, and improvement of animals; the technology of animal husbandry.
When we decide on a translation, it's important that we use all available resources (including nuanced usage by professionals in the field), but that we do so judiciously, especially when it comes to the Internet. Cheers :-)

06:58 Jun 7, 2009 

Answering your question about my dictionaries: No they don't have an entry for zootechnics, but there is an entry for technics... Then, my favorite dictionary (Random House)says under technic
1.technique:
[1. the manner and ability with which an artist, writer, dancer, athlete, or the like employs the technical skills of a particular art or field of endeavor.
2.the body of specialized procedures and methods used in any specific field, esp. in an area of applied science.] general word: art & science.
2. tecnicality
3. technics: the study or science of an art or of arts in general, esp. the mechanical or industrial arts.- not really related to 'animal science'.
You are right in many aspects about evolving technologies and dictionaries, but we have to keep language from words of unknown origin or the like. This is dictionaries main purpose. There's a lot of rubbish on the Internet. If you are going to use a term you got from the Internet, it has to be checked. I'll only accept a term I can't find in dictionaries, if it comes from reliable scientific sources. On the contrary, I'll keep the word in italics or ask the client for clarification... Regards :)

03:23 Jun 7, 2009 

Cristina: As valuable a resource as dictionaries are, in order to appreciate the subtle ways in which language changes over time, we need to take into account evidence that comes from other sources, as dictionaries are often slow in their efforts to make entries reflect current usage. With the passage of time, new words are added, while others take much more time to be included. Do your monolingual dictionaries include the term "zootechnics"?