Discourse in White Coats: Exploring Linguistic Features in Medical Communication
- Jameel Ahmad
Abstract
The aim of this qualitative descriptive research is to examine both the linguistic and discourse-level features of Medical English. The research employs a two-tiered approach: first, a linguistic analysis focusing on morphology, lexical density, syntax, and semantic evolution; second, a discourse analysis examining text organization, genre conventions, interactional patterns, and communicative practices. From a linguistic standpoint, Medical English is distinguished by its specialized terminology, extensive use of Greek and Latin roots, nominalized structures, passive constructions, and an expanding lexicon shaped by advances in numerous disciplines of Medical Sciences. At the discourse level, Medical English operates across multiple genres including clinical documentation, academic publications, and public health communication, each governed by established frameworks such as SOAP notes, IMRD structures, hedging strategies, and standardized phrasing in Medical research. As a result, Medical English has evolved beyond its traditional boundaries, emerging as dynamic and multifaceted domains of communication.
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- DOI:10.5539/elt.v19n11p19
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