U4Technical Language - California Invasive Plant Inventory

Define

Technical language refers to words that are used in certain fields of knowledge, such as astronomy or computer science. Often,
understanding technical terms, especially in informational texts, means understanding something about the author’s subject. For
example, if you know that an archaeologist studies human history based on things found in ancient ruins, and you read that
archaeologists have discovered an important artifact, you can guess that in this context the word artifact refers to a thing from
the ancient past. Writers include technical language to educate readers, to make their explanation more precise, or to establish
their authority on a subject.

Identification and Application:

●Scan the text for unfamiliar words that might be technical terms.

●Note words that don’t make sense in the context. Sometimes common words have technical meanings in specialized
contexts.

●Try to figure out the meaning from the context.

●Ask yourself: What is the subject area of the informational text? Ask subject-area experts or search online for a
definition of the word.

●Think about how the use of technical language helps communicate the central or main ideas of the text.

Model

Like many informational texts, the “Invasive Plant Inventory” employs technical language. Because the selection is intended to educate land managers and public
policy makers involved in environmental planning and habitat restoration, most of the technical language consists of terms used in environmental science. The use
of these terms adds precise (or exact) meaning. This precision helps land managers and policy makers quickly grasp the central ideas because they are already
familiar with the technical language. The same is not true for the average student reader, however, who may be unfamiliar with many of the scientific or technical
terms and their meanings. Yet, by paying close attention to context clues, or by consulting general or specialized dictionaries, print or online resources, or a
subject-area expert, students will be able to discover the meaning of these scientific or technical terms.

Consider the first paragraph of “Invasive Plant Inventory”:

The California Invasive Plant Inventory categorizes non-native invasive plants that threaten the state’s wildlands. Categorization is based on an
assessment of the ecological impacts of each plant. The Inventory represents the best available knowledge of invasive plant experts in the state. However,
it has no regulatory authority, and should be used with full understanding of the limitations described below.

The boldfaced words are examples of technical language used in environmental science. Context clues provide help in uncovering the meaning of “ecological
impacts.” The first sentence indicates that “non-native invasive plants ...threaten the state’s wildlands.” Even if readers are not sure of the exact definitions of the
technical terms “non-native invasive plants” or “wildlands,” the word “threaten” suggests that the “ecological impacts” of non-native invasive plants on wildlands
are bad. Reading on can help readers confirm this. In paragraph 3, the selection talks about “each species’ negative ecological impact in California.” “Negative”
means “bad or harmful.” Then, in paragraph 13, the selection more fully explains the meaning of “ecological impact”:

High –These species have severe ecological impacts on physical processes, plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure. Their reproductive
biology and other attributes are conducive to moderate to high rates of dispersal and establishment. Most are widely distributed ecologically.

Model

From this paragraph, readers can infer that “ecological” has something to do with “physical processes, plant and animal communities, and
vegetation structure.” Readers can confirm the meaning of “ecological” by looking up the word in a general or scientific print or online
dictionary. “Ecological” is the adjective form of “ecology, ”which is the science that deals with how groups of living things relate to one
another and to their environment. When readers scan the selection, they will also find definitions for “wildlands,” “non-native plants,” and
“invasive non-native plants that threaten wildlands” in the “Definitions” section of the text. For example

Wildlands are public and private lands that support native ecosystems, including some working landscapes such as grazed rangeland
and active timberland.

The “Definitions” section establishes that “wildlands” are “public and private lands that support native ecosystems.” “Ecosystems” isn’t
defined, but if “ecology” studies how groups of living things relate to their environments, then an “ecosystem” is probably “a system or
community of living things interacting with their environment.” However, the definition of “wildlands” leaves two technical terms that are
not used elsewhere in the text undefined-- “rangeland” and “timberland.” Readers will need to check a print or digital dictionary, other
print or online resources, or a subject-area expert to determine the precise meaning of each of these words.

Your Turn

Read this section (paragraph 2) from “California Invasive Plant Inventory” to analyze the use of technical language. Then answer the
follow-up questions.

California is home to 4,200 native plant species, and is recognized internationally as a “biodiversity hotspot.” Approximately 1,800
non-native plants also grow in the wild in the state. A small number of these, approximately 200, are the ones that this Inventory
considered invasive. Improved understanding of their impacts will help those working to protect California's treasured biodiversity.

Multiple Choice

What is the most likely meaning of “biodiversity” in this context?

• What is the most likely meaning of “biodiversity” in this context?

• a group of endangered plants

• many different kinds of plants

• large numbers of invasive plants

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences BEST supports your answer to Part A?

• “California is home to 4,200 native plant species . . .”

• “Approximately, 1,800 non-­native plants also grow in the wild in the state.”

• “A small number of these, approximately 200, are the ones that this Inventory considers invasive.”

• “Improved understanding of their impacts will help those working to protect California’s treasured biodiversity.”