Terminology Work Harmonization of Concepts and Termsjanuary 2006

Review of Content StandardISO 860:1996

Terminology work – Harmonization of concepts and termsJanuary 2006

This review is intended to assess the potential utility of content standards for use and potentially for inclusion in an ISO 11179-based metadata registry. The review is directed primarily toward the utility of the standard itself, rather than to matching the standard with specific agency programs. The review covers issues such as the subject area, currency, quality, authority, and acceptance of the standards. These are factors that need to be taken into account no matter what the programmatic application of the standard may be.

1. Summary

This standard specifies a methodology for the harmonization of concepts, definitions, terms, concept systems, and term systems. It is a natural extension of ISO 704.

The standard addresses two types of harmonization: concept harmonization and term harmonization. Concept harmonization means the reduction or elimination of minor differences between two or more closely related concepts. Concept harmonization is not the transfer of a concept system to another language. It involves the comparison and matching of concepts and concept systems in one or more languages or subject fields.

Term harmonization refers to the designation of a single concept (in different languages) by terms that reflect similar characteristics or similar forms. Term harmonization is possible only when the concepts the terms represent are almost exactly the same. The standard contains a flow chart for the harmonization process and a description of the procedures for performing it.

2. Identification of Standard

2.1. Title

Terminology work – Harmonization of concepts and terms

2.2. Acronym

None.

2.3. Web page(s), Identifier, or Contact Information:

2.3.1 Web page(s)

http://www.iso.org

2.3.2 Identifier

ISO 860:1996

2.3.3 Contact Information

Infoterm Office Austria
International Information Centre for Terminology
Aichholzgasse 6/12
A-1120 Vienna, Austria

Tel.: +43-1-817 4488
Fax: +43-1-817 4488-44

E-Mail:
URL: http://linux.infoterm.org

Director: Christian Galinski, E-Mail:

2.4 Authority

2.4.1 Creator

TC 37/SC 1, Principles and methods

2.4.2. Acceptance as authoritative

TC 37 is the ISO committee on terminology. Other subcommittees:

Committee / Title
TC 37/SC 1/WG 2 / Harmonization of terminology
The convener can be reached through: DGN
TC 37/SC 1/WG 3 / Principles, methods and vocabulary
The convener can be reached through: SCC
TC 37/SC 1/WG 4 / Socioterminology
The convener can be reached through: SCC
TC 37/SC 1/WG 5 / Concept modeling in terminology work
The convener can be reached through: IBN

2.5 Publisher

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

2.6 Language(s)

English and French.

3. Content description

3.1 Subject area of content and area of application

This standard specifies a methodology for the harmonization of concepts, definitions, terms, concept systems, and term systems. It is a natural extension of ISO 704.

The terminological principles and methods laid down in ISO 704 are based on current thinking and practices in terminology.

Terminology is multidisciplinary and draws support from a number of disciplines (e.g., logic, epistemology, philosophy of science, linguistics, information science and cognitive sciences) in its study of concepts and their representations in special language. It combines elements from many theoretical approaches that deal with the description, ordering and transfer of knowledge.

In line with current standardization trends to include guiding principles, ISO 704 Terminology work – Principles and Methods is intended to standardize the essential elements for quality work in terminology. The general purpose of the standard is to provide a common framework of thinking and explain how this thinking should be implemented by an organization or individuals involved in terminology.

Objects, concepts, designations and definitions are fundamental to terminology and therefore form the basis of this standard. Objects are perceived or conceived and abstracted into concepts which, in special language, are represented by designations and described in definitions. A set of designations belonging to one special language constitutes the terminology of a specific subject field.

3.2 Kind of content

In this standard and for the English language, “ terminology” used in the singular and without an article designates the discipline, while “ terminology“ used in the plural or preceded by an article refers to the set of designations of a particular subject field, such as the terminology of chemistry.

3.3 Audience(s)

Terminologists, although the business world is becoming increasingly aware of the need to manage terms for interchange in commerce.

The systematic organization and definition of concepts as well as the administration of the concept representations is called terminology management. Increasingly private industry as well as public administration – not to mention big organizations in the third sector – are applying terminology management methods and systems.

Terminology standardization can be subdivided into two distinct – however, complementary - types of standardizing activities:

· Standardization of terminologies

· Standardization of terminological principles and methods

Nearly every technical body in standardization must standardize its terminology regularly or once in a while. Thousands of organizations beyond standardization are unifying their terminology on a larger or smaller scale. Many international, regional or national authorities harmonize terminologies, if existing unified or standardized terminologies conflict with each other.

ISO/TC 37 “Terminology and other language resources” is standardizing basic principles, requirements and methods concerning terminology and language and content resources.

3.4 Related Standards/3.5 Standards Dependencies

See the Cmap, “Terminology Standards Relationships”

3.6 Content Quality

High.

4. Currency of Content

4.1 Date

1996

4.2 Versions, Updates/4.3 Currency

This version is current. A previous version was published in 1968. A new version is under development.

5. Acceptance

At the beginning of the 20th century, the scope of terminology standardization activities necessitated the formulation of principles and methods for terminology work.

In recent years, the focus of ISO/TC 37's activities has shifted towards applied methods, especially computer-assisted ones, and to their application within standardization and similar activities. Active links exist to a large number of international and transnational organizations and institutions, as well as to other ISO/TCs, and to Technical Committees belonging to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).

On 18 August 2000 at the Plenary meeting of ISO/TC 37 in London, it was decided to open up the scope of TC 37 to respond to the necessities of the language industry. This decision was confirmed by a large majority of TC 37 members in January 2001. The new title is "Terminology and other language resources". The new scope: Standardization of principles, methods and applications relating to terminology and other language resources. In August 2001, it was decided to establish a further SC 4, Language resource management.

6. Content details

6.1 Size statistics (estimated)

Size / Price
/ ISO 860:1996 PDF version (en) / 1690 KB / CHF 48,00
/ ISO 860:1996 PDF version (fr) / 1099 KB / CHF 48,00
/ ISO 860:1996 paper version (en) / CHF 48,00
/ ISO 860:1996 paper version (fr) / CHF 48,00

The paper version is 6 pages.

6.2 Format / Schemas(s)

See above.

6.3 Media / Download

See above.

6.4 Licensing Issues

This is an ISO standard and subject to copyright.

6.5 Documentation

See the Infoterm website.

Also:
International Network for Terminology: http://linux.termnet.org/