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1.2. Lexical peculiarities of a scientific text (ST). It has been shown by numerous investigations in the field that the vocabulary of a scientific text comprises the following three lexical strata (layers): 1) terminological layer; 2) general scientific layer; 3) general literary language units.
Terminological layer is the most conspicuous layer in the vocabulary of a ST, and it comprises the following three subgroups of terms: 1) special terminology, 2) general scientific terminology, 3) consubstantial terminology.
1. Special terminology. Though special terms, i.e. terms belonging to this or that branch of knowledge seem to be the most salient feature of a scientific text, they constitute only 20% of the lexical units of a ST. The majority of special terms are expressed by nouns, that is why special terminology is said to be mostly nominal in character. Nevertheless, verbs, adjectives can also be used as special terminological units. Special terminology is characterized by a tendency to make up certain derivational series comprising different parts of speech with the same root-morpheme: e.g. v. to absorb, n. absorption, adj. absorbable, absorptive.
Special terminology can be expressed both by individual terminological lexemes, e.g. laser, velocity, plasma, and terminological word-combinations, as well, e.g. laser pulse, phase velocity, active plasma medium, etc.
2. General scientific terminology, i.e. terms, denoting the most general notions of all sciences and humanities, are found in any scientific text irrespective of a branch of knowledge they refer to, e.g. system, structure, process, hierarchy, correlation etc.
3. Consubstantial terminology is a specific group of terms within a scientific text which by their graphic and sound form coincide with corresponding words of general literary language (общелитературный язык), but they function in a scientific text as either 1. special terms, e.g. linguistic terms: rhythm, melody, sound, speech, physical terms: pulse, speed, field, or as 2. general scientific terms, e.g. feature, variant, pattern, level, etc.