The linguistic and discursive processing of computer technology is studied here from its beginnings to the year 2000. The approach is based on discourse lexicology and corpus linguistics and centres around the popularization of information and communication technology and of the corresponding special languages. Alongside the periodicity of the discourse in parliament and the popular press, its main findings are bound up with the detailed description of the lexical development (semasiological and onomasiological inventories) and the de-specialization of technological vocabulary.