Japanese Industrial Technical Terms: Word Formation, Word Type and Word Education

Abstract In Thailand, Japanese learners need to attend training or internships at respectable Japanese companies. Previous research has found problems with comprehension of technical terms, but there are no studies or research on how technical terms can confuse or may be difficult for learners to use. So, this study is aimed at analyzing word formation and word types of Japanese technical terms in the industry, simplifying what makes technical terms difficult for learners in terms of their morphological knowledge, and offers a way to teach technical terms and enhance learners’ understanding about Japanese technical terms based upon morphological knowledge. The results have shown that in Japanese technical terms, Sino-Japanese or Kango was found mostly when compared to other word types, hybrids, foreign words, and native words. Regarding word formation, compounding is the most common. The difficulties of technical terms could be divided into four types that are unfamiliar with Kango, changing form into hybrids, the different meaning of loanwords, and lack of knowledge of intra-structure of compounds, affixes, and clippings. The test of morphological knowledge by the University of Washington was adapted into learning drills to enhance the knowledge of word types and word formation.