Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The flow of information between languages: An application of Price's method

  • Published:
Scientometrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Among Derek de Solla Price's many contributions to scientometrics is a method for analysing matrices whose terms represent flow of some kind. The relative contributions of languages to the international flow of intellectual capital are analysed using this method. Translations are examined by UDC category to determine the types of capital exported by languages. It is shown that the world's major languages export across the whole spectrum of intellectual endeavour, and that minor languages tend to specialise in a few categories. An examination of the links between languages, as shown by translation flows, shows that most transmit information into only a small number of other languages.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. E. Garfield, Is Japanese science a juggernaut?,Current Contents, (November 16 1987) 3–9.

  2. K.D. Shearer, How much intellectual capital is invested in the principal human languages?,International Library Review, 17 (1985) 235–246.

    Google Scholar 

  3. K.D. Shearer, The geolinguistics of information: English vis-a-vis other major languages,International Library Review, 18 (1986) 223–230.

    Google Scholar 

  4. K.D. Shearer, Planning for the information age — The dilemma,International Library Review, 20 (1988) 417–424.

    Google Scholar 

  5. R.L. Carpenter, Translation patterns and information transfer,Library Quarterly, 58 (1988) 367–376.

    Google Scholar 

  6. UNESCO,UNESCO Statistical Year-book, Paris, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (1987).

  7. D.S. Price, The analysis of scientometric matrices for policy implications,Scientometrics, 3 (1981) No. 3,47–54.

    Google Scholar 

  8. D.S. Price, The analysis of squre matrices of scientometric transactions,Scientometrics, 3 (1981) No. 3, 55–63.

    Google Scholar 

  9. K.D. Shearer, Language patterns and language hegemony in post-1992 EuropeEuropean Studies Journal, forthcoming.

  10. F.W. Young, R.M. Hamer,Multidimensional Scaling: History, Theory and Applications, Hillsdale, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1987.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Architectural Science, University of Sydney, 2006, NSW, (Australia)

    G. Stevens

Authors
  1. G. Stevens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stevens, G. The flow of information between languages: An application of Price's method. Scientometrics 19, 107–126 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02130468

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02130468

Keywords

Search

Navigation