Response to BOK special issue discussion: 'BOK and terminology', by David Carmichael

Carmichael's discussion considers whether the discipline of Civil Engineering Systems can develop, and whether such development depends on a clear and agreed terminology. The answer to the first point is 'yes,' but though clear and well-agreed terminology is desirable, it is not strictly necessary because the underlying issue is the need for mutual understanding of and within the discipline rather than for agreed terminology. Restricting language could have undesirable side-effects.