THE ROLE OF TECHNICAL VOCABULARY IN DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

In the realm of English for Specific Purposes (ESP), the acquisition of technical vocabulary is often viewed as the primary step toward professional fluency. However, technical vocabulary is more than a list of terms; it is the foundation of professional communicative competence. This article examines the strategic role of domain-specific lexis in enabling practitioners to function effectively within their discourse communities. It explores the distinction between high-frequency general words and low-frequency technical terms, arguing that lexical precision is the key to professional credibility and efficiency.