ISO 704:2009
(Main)Terminology work — Principles and methods
Terminology work — Principles and methods
ISO 704:2009 establishes the basic principles and methods for preparing and compiling terminologies both inside and outside the framework of standardization, and describes the links between objects, concepts, and their terminological representations. It also establishes general principles governing the formation of designations and the formulation of definitions. Full and complete understanding of these principles requires some background knowledge of terminology work. The principles are general in nature and this document is applicable to terminology work in scientific, technological, industrial, administrative and other fields of knowledge. ISO 704:2009 does not stipulate procedures for the layout of international terminology standards, which are treated in ISO 10241.
Travail terminologique — Principes et méthodes
L'ISO 704:2009 établit et harmonise les principes fondamentaux et les méthodes permettant d'élaborer et de compiler des terminologies, qu'il s'agisse d'activités menées dans le cadre de la normalisation ou non, et décrit les liens établis entre les objets, les concepts et leur représentation par des terminologies. Elle fixe également des principes généraux qui régissent la formation des désignations et la formulation des définitions. Pour une compréhension complète et approfondie de ces principes, des connaissances de fond du travail terminologique sont nécessaires. Il s'agit de principes de nature générale, et le présent document s'applique aux travaux terminologiques effectués dans les domaines scientifiques, technologiques, industriels, administratifs, ainsi que dans les autres domaines de la connaissance. L'ISO 704:2009 ne décrit pas les méthodes de présentation des Normes internationales de terminologie; celles-ci sont traitées dans l'ISO 10241.
Terminološko delo - Načela in metode
Ta mednarodni standard vzpostavlja osnovna načela in metode za pripravo in sestavljanje terminologije zunaj in znotraj okvira standardizacije ter opisuje povezave med predmeti, koncepti in njihovimi terminološkimi prikazi. Vzpostavlja tudi splošna načela za oblikovanje izrazov in označb ter formulacijo definicij. Popolno in celostno razumevanje teh načel zahteva nekaj splošnega znanja o terminološkem delu. Načela iz tega mednarodnega standarda so splošna in se lahko uporabljajo pri terminološkem delu na znanstvenem, tehnološkem, industrijskem in administrativnem področju ter drugih področjih znanja. V tem mednarodnem standardu niso predpisani postopki za oblikovanje mednarodnih terminoloških standardov, ki so opisani v standardu ISO 10241.
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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST ISO 704:2013
01-julij-2013
1DGRPHãþD
SIST ISO 704:2003
7HUPLQRORãNRGHOR1DþHODLQPHWRGH
Terminology work -- Principles and methods
Travail terminologique -- Principes et méthodes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 704:2009
ICS:
01.020 7HUPLQRORJLMD QDþHODLQ Terminology (principles and
NRRUGLQDFLMD coordination)
SIST ISO 704:2013 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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SIST ISO 704:2013
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 704
Third edition
2009-11-01
Terminology work — Principles and
methods
Travail terminologique — Principes et méthodes
Reference number
ISO 704:2009(E)
©
ISO 2009
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SIST ISO 704:2013
ISO 704:2009(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2009
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved
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SIST ISO 704:2013
ISO 704:2009(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
0 Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Objects.2
5 Concepts .2
5.1 Nature of concepts for terminology work.2
5.2 General concepts .3
5.3 Individual concepts .3
5.4 Characteristics.4
5.5 Concept relations .8
5.6 Concept systems.18
6 Definitions .22
6.1 Nature of definitions.22
6.2 Intensional definitions .22
6.3 Definition writing .23
6.4 Supplementary information to the definition.28
6.5 Deficient definitions .30
7 Designations .34
7.1 Types of designations.34
7.2 Terms.34
7.3 Appellations .36
7.4 Formation of terms and appellations .38
7.5 Symbols.41
Annex A (informative) Other types of definitions .44
Annex B (informative) Examples of term-formation methods.51
Annex C (informative) Categories of appellations.56
Index .60
Bibliography.64
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Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 704 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 37, Terminology and other language and content
resources, Subcommittee SC 1, Principles and methods.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 704:2000), which has been technically revised.
iv © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved
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0 Introduction
0.1 Overview
The terminological principles and methods provided in this International Standard are based on current
thinking and practices in terminology work.
Terminology work is multidisciplinary and draws support from a number of disciplines (e.g. logic, epistemology,
philosophy of science, linguistics, translation studies, information science and cognitive sciences) in its study
of concepts and their representations in special language and general language. It combines elements from
many theoretical approaches that deal with the description, ordering and transfer of knowledge.
The terminology work dealt with in this International Standard is concerned with terminology used for
unambiguous communication in natural, human language. The goal of terminology work as described in this
International Standard is, thus, a clarification and standardization of concepts and terminology for
communication between humans. Terminology work may be used as input for information modelling and data
modelling, but this International Standard does not cover the relation with these fields.
In line with the current trend in standardization towards providing guiding principles, this International
Standard is intended to standardize the essential elements for terminology work. The general purposes of this
International Standard are to provide a common framework of thinking and to explain how this thinking should
be implemented by an organization or group.
It is further intended to provide assistance to those involved in terminology management. The principles and
methods should be observed not only for the manipulation of terminological information but also in the
planning and decision-making involved in managing a stock of terminology. The main activities include, but
are not limited to, the following:
— identifying concepts and concept relations;
— analysing and modelling concept systems on the basis of identified concepts and concept
relations;
— establishing representations of concept systems through concept diagrams;
— defining concepts;
— attributing designations (predominantly terms) to each concept in one or more languages;
— recording and presenting terminological data, principally in print and electronic media
(terminography).
Objects, concepts, designations and definitions are fundamental to terminology work and therefore form the
basis of this International Standard. Objects are perceived or conceived and abstracted into concepts which,
in special languages, are represented by designations and/or definitions. The set of designations belonging to
one special language constitutes the terminology of a specific subject field.
0.2 Conventions and notation
In this International Standard and for the English language, ‘terminology work’ designates the discipline;
‘terminology’ used in the plural or preceded by an article refers to the set of designations of a particular
subject field, such as legal terminology.
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For the sake of consistency in reference to objects, concepts, definitions, and designations, the following
wording conventions are used in this International Standard:
— objects
are perceived or conceived;
are abstracted or conceptualized into concepts;
— concepts
depict or correspond to objects or sets of objects;
are represented or expressed in language by designations or by definitions;
are organized into concept systems;
— designations (terms, appellations or symbols)
designate or represent a concept;
are attributed to a concept;
⎯ definitions
define, represent or describe the concept.
The more complex a concept system is, the more useful it is to clarify relations among concepts by
representing them formally or graphically. Concept relations can be represented formally in a list. The formal
representations used in this International Standard are indented and numbered with a full stop (period) (.) for
generic relations and numbered with a dash (–) for partitive relations, as in the following models:
For generic relations: For partitive relations:
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The graphic representations used in this International Standard are the most typical ones. The use of
UML (Unified Modeling Language) notation for terminology work is described in ISO/TR 24156.
tree diagram to represent generic concept relations
rake diagram to represent partitive concept relations
line with arrowheads at each end to represent associative
concept relations
The notation used throughout this International Standard is as follows:
⎯ terms designating concepts defined in ISO 1087-1:2000 are in italics;
⎯ concepts are indicated by single quotes;
⎯ designations (terms, appellations or symbols) are in boldface;
⎯ characteristics are underlined;
⎯ examples are boxed.
This International Standard follows the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, 2004 with regard to the use of “shall”, which
indicates a requirement and the use of “should”, which indicates a recommendation.
It should be noted that the examples in this International Standard have been chosen and simplified for
illustrative purposes. Translation into other languages may necessitate the selection of other examples to
illustrate the points.
It should also be noted that the examples of term-formation methods, in Annex B, are specific to the English
language in the English version and to the French language in the French version. Annex B should not be
translated, but should be adapted to the needs of each language.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 704:2009(E)
Terminology work — Principles and methods
1 Scope
This International Standard establishes the basic principles and methods for preparing and compiling
terminologies both inside and outside the framework of standardization, and describes the links between
objects, concepts, and their terminological representations. It also establishes general principles governing the
formation of terms and appellations and the formulation of definitions. Full and complete understanding of
these principles requires some background knowledge of terminology work. The principles are general in
nature and this International Standard is applicable to terminology work in scientific, technological, industrial,
administrative and other fields of knowledge.
This International Standard does not stipulate procedures for the layout of international terminology standards,
which are treated in ISO 10241.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1087-1, Terminology work — Vocabulary — Part 1: Theory and application
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 1087-1 and the following apply.
3.1
stipulative definition
definition which results from adapting a lexical definition to a unique situation for a given purpose and which is
not standard usage
3.2
ostensive definition
demonstrative definition
definition which exhibits one or more representative object(s) in the extension of the concept
3.3
specialized concept
concept which reflects specific or technical knowledge within a given subject field
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3.4
terminological resource
terminological data collection
TDC
text or data resource consisting of terminological entries
1)
NOTE Adapted form ISO 26162:— .
3.5
terminology product
product that supports special language use or the field of terminology
NOTE Products that support special language use refer to dictionaries, databases, and other products for the
dissemination of specialized terminology while products that support the field of terminology refer to journals, training
manuals, tools, etc.
[ISO 22128:2008, definition 3.13]
3.6
terminographical product
terminology product consisting of a set of designations and terminological and/or linguistic information to
support special language use
[ISO 22128:2008, definition 3.9]
4 Objects
In terminology work, an object is defined as anything perceived or conceived. Some objects, such as a
machine, a diamond, or a river, should be considered concrete or material; others, such as each manifestation
of financial planning, gravity, fluidity, or a conversion ratio, should be considered immaterial or abstract; still
others, for example, a unicorn, a philosopher's stone or a literary character should be considered purely
imaginary. In the course of producing a terminology, philosophical discussions on whether an object actually
exists in reality are unproductive and should be avoided. Attention should be focused on how one deals with
objects for the purposes of communication.
Objects are described and identified by their properties (see example in 5.4.1), but neither properties of
specific objects nor the objects themselves are recorded in the terminological resource.
5 Concepts
5.1 Nature of concepts for terminology work
In communication, not every individual object in the world is differentiated and named. Instead, through
observation and a process of abstraction called conceptualization, objects are categorized into classes, which
correspond to units of knowledge called concepts, which are represented in various forms of communication
(object → concept → communication). This International Standard does not deal with all concepts represented
in language but only with those represented by the terminology of specialized fields. For terminology work,
concepts shall be considered mental representations of objects within a specialized context or field.
Concepts are not to be confused with abstract or imagined objects (i.e. concrete, abstract or imagined objects
in a given context are observed and conceptualized mentally and then a designation is attributed to the
concept rather than to the objects themselves). The link between an object and its corresponding designation
or definition is made through the concept, a higher level of abstraction.
1) To be published.
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Producing a terminology requires an understanding of the conceptualization that underpins human knowledge
in a subject area. Because terminology work always deals with specialized language in a particular field of
knowledge (i.e. a subject field), the concept should be viewed not only as a unit of thought but also as a unit of
knowledge.
The concepts contextualized in the special language of the subject field can be represented in the various
forms of human communication according to the system used. In natural language, concepts can be
represented by terms, appellations, definitions or other linguistic forms; they may also be represented by
symbols; in artificial language, they can be represented by codes or formulae, while in multimedia they can be
represented by icons, pictures, diagrams, graphics, sound clips, video or other multimedia representations.
Concepts may also be represented with the human body as they are in sign language, facial expressions or
body movements. This International Standard does not deal with the representation of concepts by sign or
body language.
Concepts are described and identified by their characteristics (see 5.4.2, Example 2).
5.2 General concepts
When a concept depicts or corresponds to a set of two or more objects which form a group by reason of
common properties, it is called a general concept and, in special languages, the designation takes the form of
a term (e.g. floppy disk, liquidity, money market fund, etc.) or a symbol (e.g. ©, W, $).
5.3 Individual concepts
When the concept depicts or corresponds to a single object or when an object comprising a
unique composition of entities is considered a single entity, it is called an individual concept and is
represented in special language as an appellation (e.g. United Nations, Internet, World Wide Web) or a
symbol (e.g. Africa; Statue of Liberty). Appellations refer to individual concepts and comprise
names, titles and other similar forms and shall be distinguished from terms that refer to general concepts.
It follows that any unique object shall be considered an individual concept. When an individual concept is
designated by an appellation constructed by conjoined entities, it is still considered an individual concept even
though conjoined words or terms usually signal more than one concept.
EXAMPLE
A conjoined multi-name appellation in which there is elision of the headword can be viewed as a single individual
concept. For example, a whole with X parts, as in the case of North, Central, and South America (a single region made
up of the three parts) as opposed to the three appellations ‘North America’, ‘Central America’, and ‘South America’,
which are viewed as three separate individual concepts.
A multi-word appellation with conjoined modifiers is to be interpreted as a single entity and it designates an individual
concept, for example: The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is to be interpreted as
one entity, not two, i.e. not as the ‘Canadian Radio-television Commission’ and the ‘Canadian Telecommunications
Commission’. Similarly, Sunnybrook and Women's Colleges Health Sciences Centre is one entity.
An individual concept in a generic concept system cannot be subdivided further, while an individual concept in
a partitive concept system can be subdivided into its parts (see 5.5.2.2.2 and 5.5.2.3.2).
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5.4 Characteristics
5.4.1 Nature of characteristics
Concept formation plays a pivotal role in organizing human knowledge because it provides the means for
recognizing objects and for grouping them into meaningful units in a particular field. In order to categorize an
object for the purposes of concept formation, it is necessary to identify its properties (see the example below).
Objects perceived as sharing the same properties are grouped into units. Once similar objects, or occasionally
a single object, are viewed as a meaningful unit of knowledge within a branch of human knowledge, the
properties of an object, or those common to a set of objects, are abstracted as characteristics that are
combined as a set in the formation of a concept.
Thus, objects in the real world are identified by their properties. The objects are then abstracted as concepts
and the properties are abstracted as characteristics making up the concepts. Abstraction is the process of
recognizing some set of common features in an individual set of objects and, on that basis, forming a concept
of that set of objects. Characteristics are qualifiers and narrow the meaning of a superordinate concept (see
5.5.2.1). It should be noted that ‘characteristic’ is a linguistic concept which should not be confused with the
information technology (IT) concept ‘property’.
EXAMPLE
Real World Abstraction
is abstracted into
object concep t
has constitutes
property characteristic
is abstracted by
The relations between these four concepts might be further elucidated by the following statements.
⎯ Each object has one or multiple properties.
⎯ Each property of a similar kind is abstracted into one characteristic.
⎯ Each characteristic is part of one or multiple concepts.
⎯ Each concept is constituted by one or multiple characteristics.
⎯ Each object is abstracted into one or multiple concepts.
5.4.2 Terminological analysis
The coming together of a unique set of characteristics to make a concept is an everyday occurrence. The
concept made up of this set of characteristics is represented by a designation (i.e. a term, appellation or
symbol). Since a designation is not attributed to an object but to a concept, the latter depicting one or more
objects, terminological analysis is based upon a representation of the concept in the form of a designation or a
definition. Therefore, the methodology used in the analysis of terminologies requires:
⎯ identifying the context or subject field;
⎯ identifying the properties attributed to objects in the subject field;
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⎯ determining those properties which are abstracted into characteristics;
⎯ combining the characteristics to form a concept;
⎯ attributing a designation.
It should also be noted that the properties used to state properties that describe an object and the
characteristics that make up a concept designate in themselves concepts, sometimes within the same
specialized field, sometimes not. It may be useful to begin an analysis with those concepts corresponding to
concrete objects, since the characteristics are more easily abstracted given that the properties of the objects
can be physically observed or examined.
In an abstract way, terminological analysis should begin with the objects in question and the subject field
contextualizing those objects. Properties shall be ascribed only to objects. A terminologist begins by analysing
discourse texts which refer to objects to see how they are designated in language. By analysing a certain
number of discourse texts, the terminologist can get an understanding of the properties of the various
referents in the different discourse texts, so as to determine those properties that can be abstracted as
characteristics, as opposed to those properties that are unique to an individual object and, therefore, cannot
be seen as characteristics.
EXAMPLE 1
The specific objects designated by the visual representations below have the following specific properties:
⎯ a device; ⎯ a device; ⎯ a device;
⎯ ivory-coloured; ⎯ blue and grey; ⎯ black-grey;
⎯ hand-manoeuvred along a ⎯ hand-manoeuvred along a ⎯ hand-manoeuvred along a
firm, flat surface; firm, flat surface; firm, flat surface;
⎯ has a ball on its underside; ⎯ has a ball on its underside; ⎯ has a ball on its underside;
⎯ has three buttons; ⎯ has two buttons; ⎯ has two buttons;
⎯ has a wire for connecting to a ⎯ has a wire for connecting to ⎯ has a wire for connecting to
computer; a computer; a computer;
⎯ rollers detect the movement ⎯ rollers detect the movement ⎯ rollers detect the movement
of the ball; of the ball; of the ball;
⎯ the ball controls the ⎯ the ball controls the ⎯ the ball controls the
movement of a cursor on a movement of a cursor on a movement of a cursor on a
computer display screen. computer display screen. computer display screen.
If the objects in Example 1 are contextualized in the field of computer hardware, these particular objects are
recognized as belonging to the set of objects that has been conceptualized as ‘mechanical mouse’. In the
process of conceptualization, the properties of all the objects in the category are abstracted into
characteristics, that is, the properties of the objects are converted into generalizations applied to the entire set
as opposed to the individual objects, as illustrated in Example 2.
To facilitate this analysis, the properties of objects may be grouped into categories such as part, function,
composition, colour, shape, operation, location. Categories appropriate to the subject field can be found from
reference works and encyclopedias, but any list has to be used flexibly, and it should be assumed that
additional categories are likely to be needed to adequately represent all the properties. For practical purposes,
beginning with one of the more typical objects is recommended. The identification of characteristics shall be
based on specialized knowledge in the field and this often requires research. Experienced terminologists for
whom the concept in question is clear and straightforward may move directly to identifying the characteristics.
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The following example is a preliminary analysis of the concept ‘mechanical mouse’. Concepts denoting
non-physical objects, e.g. ‘bankruptcy’, shall be analysed
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 704
Third edition
2009-11-01
Terminology work — Principles and
methods
Travail terminologique — Principes et méthodes
Reference number
ISO 704:2009(E)
©
ISO 2009
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO 704:2009(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2009
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO 704:2009(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
0 Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Objects.2
5 Concepts .2
5.1 Nature of concepts for terminology work.2
5.2 General concepts .3
5.3 Individual concepts .3
5.4 Characteristics.4
5.5 Concept relations .8
5.6 Concept systems.18
6 Definitions .22
6.1 Nature of definitions.22
6.2 Intensional definitions .22
6.3 Definition writing .23
6.4 Supplementary information to the definition.28
6.5 Deficient definitions .30
7 Designations .34
7.1 Types of designations.34
7.2 Terms.34
7.3 Appellations .36
7.4 Formation of terms and appellations .38
7.5 Symbols.41
Annex A (informative) Other types of definitions .44
Annex B (informative) Examples of term-formation methods.51
Annex C (informative) Categories of appellations.56
Index .60
Bibliography.64
© ISO 2009 – All rights reserved iii
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ISO 704:2009(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 704 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 37, Terminology and other language and content
resources, Subcommittee SC 1, Principles and methods.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 704:2000), which has been technically revised.
iv © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO 704:2009(E)
0 Introduction
0.1 Overview
The terminological principles and methods provided in this International Standard are based on current
thinking and practices in terminology work.
Terminology work is multidisciplinary and draws support from a number of disciplines (e.g. logic, epistemology,
philosophy of science, linguistics, translation studies, information science and cognitive sciences) in its study
of concepts and their representations in special language and general language. It combines elements from
many theoretical approaches that deal with the description, ordering and transfer of knowledge.
The terminology work dealt with in this International Standard is concerned with terminology used for
unambiguous communication in natural, human language. The goal of terminology work as described in this
International Standard is, thus, a clarification and standardization of concepts and terminology for
communication between humans. Terminology work may be used as input for information modelling and data
modelling, but this International Standard does not cover the relation with these fields.
In line with the current trend in standardization towards providing guiding principles, this International
Standard is intended to standardize the essential elements for terminology work. The general purposes of this
International Standard are to provide a common framework of thinking and to explain how this thinking should
be implemented by an organization or group.
It is further intended to provide assistance to those involved in terminology management. The principles and
methods should be observed not only for the manipulation of terminological information but also in the
planning and decision-making involved in managing a stock of terminology. The main activities include, but
are not limited to, the following:
— identifying concepts and concept relations;
— analysing and modelling concept systems on the basis of identified concepts and concept
relations;
— establishing representations of concept systems through concept diagrams;
— defining concepts;
— attributing designations (predominantly terms) to each concept in one or more languages;
— recording and presenting terminological data, principally in print and electronic media
(terminography).
Objects, concepts, designations and definitions are fundamental to terminology work and therefore form the
basis of this International Standard. Objects are perceived or conceived and abstracted into concepts which,
in special languages, are represented by designations and/or definitions. The set of designations belonging to
one special language constitutes the terminology of a specific subject field.
0.2 Conventions and notation
In this International Standard and for the English language, ‘terminology work’ designates the discipline;
‘terminology’ used in the plural or preceded by an article refers to the set of designations of a particular
subject field, such as legal terminology.
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ISO 704:2009(E)
For the sake of consistency in reference to objects, concepts, definitions, and designations, the following
wording conventions are used in this International Standard:
— objects
are perceived or conceived;
are abstracted or conceptualized into concepts;
— concepts
depict or correspond to objects or sets of objects;
are represented or expressed in language by designations or by definitions;
are organized into concept systems;
— designations (terms, appellations or symbols)
designate or represent a concept;
are attributed to a concept;
⎯ definitions
define, represent or describe the concept.
The more complex a concept system is, the more useful it is to clarify relations among concepts by
representing them formally or graphically. Concept relations can be represented formally in a list. The formal
representations used in this International Standard are indented and numbered with a full stop (period) (.) for
generic relations and numbered with a dash (–) for partitive relations, as in the following models:
For generic relations: For partitive relations:
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ISO 704:2009(E)
The graphic representations used in this International Standard are the most typical ones. The use of
UML (Unified Modeling Language) notation for terminology work is described in ISO/TR 24156.
tree diagram to represent generic concept relations
rake diagram to represent partitive concept relations
line with arrowheads at each end to represent associative
concept relations
The notation used throughout this International Standard is as follows:
⎯ terms designating concepts defined in ISO 1087-1:2000 are in italics;
⎯ concepts are indicated by single quotes;
⎯ designations (terms, appellations or symbols) are in boldface;
⎯ characteristics are underlined;
⎯ examples are boxed.
This International Standard follows the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, 2004 with regard to the use of “shall”, which
indicates a requirement and the use of “should”, which indicates a recommendation.
It should be noted that the examples in this International Standard have been chosen and simplified for
illustrative purposes. Translation into other languages may necessitate the selection of other examples to
illustrate the points.
It should also be noted that the examples of term-formation methods, in Annex B, are specific to the English
language in the English version and to the French language in the French version. Annex B should not be
translated, but should be adapted to the needs of each language.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 704:2009(E)
Terminology work — Principles and methods
1 Scope
This International Standard establishes the basic principles and methods for preparing and compiling
terminologies both inside and outside the framework of standardization, and describes the links between
objects, concepts, and their terminological representations. It also establishes general principles governing the
formation of terms and appellations and the formulation of definitions. Full and complete understanding of
these principles requires some background knowledge of terminology work. The principles are general in
nature and this International Standard is applicable to terminology work in scientific, technological, industrial,
administrative and other fields of knowledge.
This International Standard does not stipulate procedures for the layout of international terminology standards,
which are treated in ISO 10241.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1087-1, Terminology work — Vocabulary — Part 1: Theory and application
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 1087-1 and the following apply.
3.1
stipulative definition
definition which results from adapting a lexical definition to a unique situation for a given purpose and which is
not standard usage
3.2
ostensive definition
demonstrative definition
definition which exhibits one or more representative object(s) in the extension of the concept
3.3
specialized concept
concept which reflects specific or technical knowledge within a given subject field
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ISO 704:2009(E)
3.4
terminological resource
terminological data collection
TDC
text or data resource consisting of terminological entries
1)
NOTE Adapted form ISO 26162:— .
3.5
terminology product
product that supports special language use or the field of terminology
NOTE Products that support special language use refer to dictionaries, databases, and other products for the
dissemination of specialized terminology while products that support the field of terminology refer to journals, training
manuals, tools, etc.
[ISO 22128:2008, definition 3.13]
3.6
terminographical product
terminology product consisting of a set of designations and terminological and/or linguistic information to
support special language use
[ISO 22128:2008, definition 3.9]
4 Objects
In terminology work, an object is defined as anything perceived or conceived. Some objects, such as a
machine, a diamond, or a river, should be considered concrete or material; others, such as each manifestation
of financial planning, gravity, fluidity, or a conversion ratio, should be considered immaterial or abstract; still
others, for example, a unicorn, a philosopher's stone or a literary character should be considered purely
imaginary. In the course of producing a terminology, philosophical discussions on whether an object actually
exists in reality are unproductive and should be avoided. Attention should be focused on how one deals with
objects for the purposes of communication.
Objects are described and identified by their properties (see example in 5.4.1), but neither properties of
specific objects nor the objects themselves are recorded in the terminological resource.
5 Concepts
5.1 Nature of concepts for terminology work
In communication, not every individual object in the world is differentiated and named. Instead, through
observation and a process of abstraction called conceptualization, objects are categorized into classes, which
correspond to units of knowledge called concepts, which are represented in various forms of communication
(object → concept → communication). This International Standard does not deal with all concepts represented
in language but only with those represented by the terminology of specialized fields. For terminology work,
concepts shall be considered mental representations of objects within a specialized context or field.
Concepts are not to be confused with abstract or imagined objects (i.e. concrete, abstract or imagined objects
in a given context are observed and conceptualized mentally and then a designation is attributed to the
concept rather than to the objects themselves). The link between an object and its corresponding designation
or definition is made through the concept, a higher level of abstraction.
1) To be published.
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ISO 704:2009(E)
Producing a terminology requires an understanding of the conceptualization that underpins human knowledge
in a subject area. Because terminology work always deals with specialized language in a particular field of
knowledge (i.e. a subject field), the concept should be viewed not only as a unit of thought but also as a unit of
knowledge.
The concepts contextualized in the special language of the subject field can be represented in the various
forms of human communication according to the system used. In natural language, concepts can be
represented by terms, appellations, definitions or other linguistic forms; they may also be represented by
symbols; in artificial language, they can be represented by codes or formulae, while in multimedia they can be
represented by icons, pictures, diagrams, graphics, sound clips, video or other multimedia representations.
Concepts may also be represented with the human body as they are in sign language, facial expressions or
body movements. This International Standard does not deal with the representation of concepts by sign or
body language.
Concepts are described and identified by their characteristics (see 5.4.2, Example 2).
5.2 General concepts
When a concept depicts or corresponds to a set of two or more objects which form a group by reason of
common properties, it is called a general concept and, in special languages, the designation takes the form of
a term (e.g. floppy disk, liquidity, money market fund, etc.) or a symbol (e.g. ©, W, $).
5.3 Individual concepts
When the concept depicts or corresponds to a single object or when an object comprising a
unique composition of entities is considered a single entity, it is called an individual concept and is
represented in special language as an appellation (e.g. United Nations, Internet, World Wide Web) or a
symbol (e.g. Africa; Statue of Liberty). Appellations refer to individual concepts and comprise
names, titles and other similar forms and shall be distinguished from terms that refer to general concepts.
It follows that any unique object shall be considered an individual concept. When an individual concept is
designated by an appellation constructed by conjoined entities, it is still considered an individual concept even
though conjoined words or terms usually signal more than one concept.
EXAMPLE
A conjoined multi-name appellation in which there is elision of the headword can be viewed as a single individual
concept. For example, a whole with X parts, as in the case of North, Central, and South America (a single region made
up of the three parts) as opposed to the three appellations ‘North America’, ‘Central America’, and ‘South America’,
which are viewed as three separate individual concepts.
A multi-word appellation with conjoined modifiers is to be interpreted as a single entity and it designates an individual
concept, for example: The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is to be interpreted as
one entity, not two, i.e. not as the ‘Canadian Radio-television Commission’ and the ‘Canadian Telecommunications
Commission’. Similarly, Sunnybrook and Women's Colleges Health Sciences Centre is one entity.
An individual concept in a generic concept system cannot be subdivided further, while an individual concept in
a partitive concept system can be subdivided into its parts (see 5.5.2.2.2 and 5.5.2.3.2).
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ISO 704:2009(E)
5.4 Characteristics
5.4.1 Nature of characteristics
Concept formation plays a pivotal role in organizing human knowledge because it provides the means for
recognizing objects and for grouping them into meaningful units in a particular field. In order to categorize an
object for the purposes of concept formation, it is necessary to identify its properties (see the example below).
Objects perceived as sharing the same properties are grouped into units. Once similar objects, or occasionally
a single object, are viewed as a meaningful unit of knowledge within a branch of human knowledge, the
properties of an object, or those common to a set of objects, are abstracted as characteristics that are
combined as a set in the formation of a concept.
Thus, objects in the real world are identified by their properties. The objects are then abstracted as concepts
and the properties are abstracted as characteristics making up the concepts. Abstraction is the process of
recognizing some set of common features in an individual set of objects and, on that basis, forming a concept
of that set of objects. Characteristics are qualifiers and narrow the meaning of a superordinate concept (see
5.5.2.1). It should be noted that ‘characteristic’ is a linguistic concept which should not be confused with the
information technology (IT) concept ‘property’.
EXAMPLE
Real World Abstraction
is abstracted into
object concep t
has constitutes
property characteristic
is abstracted by
The relations between these four concepts might be further elucidated by the following statements.
⎯ Each object has one or multiple properties.
⎯ Each property of a similar kind is abstracted into one characteristic.
⎯ Each characteristic is part of one or multiple concepts.
⎯ Each concept is constituted by one or multiple characteristics.
⎯ Each object is abstracted into one or multiple concepts.
5.4.2 Terminological analysis
The coming together of a unique set of characteristics to make a concept is an everyday occurrence. The
concept made up of this set of characteristics is represented by a designation (i.e. a term, appellation or
symbol). Since a designation is not attributed to an object but to a concept, the latter depicting one or more
objects, terminological analysis is based upon a representation of the concept in the form of a designation or a
definition. Therefore, the methodology used in the analysis of terminologies requires:
⎯ identifying the context or subject field;
⎯ identifying the properties attributed to objects in the subject field;
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ISO 704:2009(E)
⎯ determining those properties which are abstracted into characteristics;
⎯ combining the characteristics to form a concept;
⎯ attributing a designation.
It should also be noted that the properties used to state properties that describe an object and the
characteristics that make up a concept designate in themselves concepts, sometimes within the same
specialized field, sometimes not. It may be useful to begin an analysis with those concepts corresponding to
concrete objects, since the characteristics are more easily abstracted given that the properties of the objects
can be physically observed or examined.
In an abstract way, terminological analysis should begin with the objects in question and the subject field
contextualizing those objects. Properties shall be ascribed only to objects. A terminologist begins by analysing
discourse texts which refer to objects to see how they are designated in language. By analysing a certain
number of discourse texts, the terminologist can get an understanding of the properties of the various
referents in the different discourse texts, so as to determine those properties that can be abstracted as
characteristics, as opposed to those properties that are unique to an individual object and, therefore, cannot
be seen as characteristics.
EXAMPLE 1
The specific objects designated by the visual representations below have the following specific properties:
⎯ a device; ⎯ a device; ⎯ a device;
⎯ ivory-coloured; ⎯ blue and grey; ⎯ black-grey;
⎯ hand-manoeuvred along a ⎯ hand-manoeuvred along a ⎯ hand-manoeuvred along a
firm, flat surface; firm, flat surface; firm, flat surface;
⎯ has a ball on its underside; ⎯ has a ball on its underside; ⎯ has a ball on its underside;
⎯ has three buttons; ⎯ has two buttons; ⎯ has two buttons;
⎯ has a wire for connecting to a ⎯ has a wire for connecting to ⎯ has a wire for connecting to
computer; a computer; a computer;
⎯ rollers detect the movement ⎯ rollers detect the movement ⎯ rollers detect the movement
of the ball; of the ball; of the ball;
⎯ the ball controls the ⎯ the ball controls the ⎯ the ball controls the
movement of a cursor on a movement of a cursor on a movement of a cursor on a
computer display screen. computer display screen. computer display screen.
If the objects in Example 1 are contextualized in the field of computer hardware, these particular objects are
recognized as belonging to the set of objects that has been conceptualized as ‘mechanical mouse’. In the
process of conceptualization, the properties of all the objects in the category are abstracted into
characteristics, that is, the properties of the objects are converted into generalizations applied to the entire set
as opposed to the individual objects, as illustrated in Example 2.
To facilitate this analysis, the properties of objects may be grouped into categories such as part, function,
composition, colour, shape, operation, location. Categories appropriate to the subject field can be found from
reference works and encyclopedias, but any list has to be used flexibly, and it should be assumed that
additional categories are likely to be needed to adequately represent all the properties. For practical purposes,
beginning with one of the more typical objects is recommended. The identification of characteristics shall be
based on specialized knowledge in the field and this often requires research. Experienced terminologists for
whom the concept in question is clear and straightforward may move directly to identifying the characteristics.
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ISO 704:2009(E)
The following example is a preliminary analysis of the concept ‘mechanical mouse’. Concepts denoting
non-physical objects, e.g. ‘bankruptcy’, shall be analysed along the same lines.
EXAMPLE 2
Concept: abstraction based on the set of all mechanical mice
Designation (term): mechanical mouse
Properties of Object 1 Properties of Object 2 Properties of Object 3 Characteristics
hand-manoeuvred along a hand-manoeuvred along a hand-manoeuvred along a being hand-manoeuvred
firm, flat surface firm, flat surface firm, flat surface along a firm, flat surface
has a ball on its underside has a ball on its underside has a ball on its underside having a ball on its underside
has three buttons has two buttons has three buttons having at least one button
has a wire for connecting to has a wire for connecting to has a wire for connecting to a having a wire for connecting
a computer a computer computer to a computer
having rollers (mechanical
rollers detect the movement rollers detect the movement rollers detect the movement
sensors) for detecting ball-
of the ball of the ball; of the ball
movement
ivory-coloured
...
NORME ISO
INTERNATIONALE 704
Troisième édition
2009-11-01
Travail terminologique — Principes et
méthodes
Terminology work — Principles and methods
Numéro de référence
ISO 704:2009(F)
©
ISO 2009
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ISO 704:2009(F)
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Publié en Suisse
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ISO 704:2009(F)
Sommaire Page
Avant-propos .iv
0 Introduction.v
1 Domaine d'application .1
2 Références normatives.1
3 Termes et définitions .1
4 Objets.2
5 Concepts .2
5.1 Nature des concepts dans le travail terminologique.2
5.2 Concepts généraux .3
5.3 Concepts uniques .3
5.4 Caractères .4
5.5 Relations entre concepts.8
5.6 Systèmes de concepts.18
6 Définitions .22
6.1 Nature des définitions.22
6.2 Définitions par intension .22
6.3 Rédaction des définitions.23
6.4 Informations supplémentaires sur la définition .28
6.5 Définitions inexactes.30
7 Désignations .34
7.1 Types de désignations.34
7.2 Termes.34
7.3 Appellations .36
7.4 Formation des termes et des appellations .38
7.5 Symboles.42
Annexe A (informative) Autres types de définitions .44
Annexe B (informative) Exemples de méthodes de formation des termes.51
Annexe C (informative) Catégories d'appellations .56
Index .60
Bibliographie.64
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ISO 704:2009(F)
Avant-propos
L'ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une fédération mondiale d'organismes nationaux de
normalisation (comités membres de l'ISO). L'élaboration des Normes internationales est en général confiée
aux comités techniques de l'ISO. Chaque comité membre intéressé par une étude a le droit de faire partie du
comité technique créé à cet effet. Les organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, en liaison avec l'ISO participent également aux travaux. L'ISO collabore étroitement avec
la Commission électrotechnique internationale (CEI) en ce qui concerne la normalisation électrotechnique.
Les Normes internationales sont rédigées conformément aux règles données dans les Directives ISO/CEI,
Partie 2.
La tâche principale des comités techniques est d'élaborer les Normes internationales. Les projets de Normes
internationales adoptés par les comités techniques sont soumis aux comités membres pour vote. Leur
publication comme Normes internationales requiert l'approbation de 75 % au moins des comités membres
votants.
L'attention est appelée sur le fait que certains des éléments du présent document peuvent faire l'objet de
droits de propriété intellectuelle ou de droits analogues. L'ISO ne saurait être tenue pour responsable de ne
pas avoir identifié de tels droits de propriété et averti de leur existence.
L'ISO 704 a été élaborée par le comité technique ISO/TC 37, Terminologie et autres ressources langagières
et ressources de contenu, sous-comité SC 1, Principes et méthodes.
Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition (ISO 704:2000), qui a fait l'objet d'une révision
technique.
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ISO 704:2009(F)
0 Introduction
0.1 Vue d'ensemble
Les principes et méthodes de la terminologie énoncés dans la présente Norme internationale reposent sur les
réflexions et pratiques actuelles en matière de travail terminologique.
Le travail terminologique est pluridisciplinaire et a recours à de nombreuses disciplines (logique,
épistémologie, philosophie des sciences, linguistique, études en traduction, sciences de l'information et
sciences cognitives) dans l'étude des concepts et de leur représentation dans une langue de spécialité ou une
langue générale. Il combine les éléments provenant de différentes approches théoriques traitant de la
description, de l'organisation et du transfert des connaissances.
Le travail terminologique traité dans la présente Norme internationale se rapporte à la terminologie employée
en vue de communications univoques dans le langage humain naturel. L'objectif du travail terminologique, tel
que décrit dans le présent document, est par conséquent la clarification et la normalisation des concepts et
des terminologies pour la communication entre humains. Le travail terminologique peut servir à la
modélisation des informations et des données, toutefois la présente Norme internationale ne traite pas des
relations avec ces domaines.
Conformément à la tendance actuelle de la normalisation à fournir des principes directeurs, la présente
Norme internationale est destinée à normaliser les éléments essentiels du travail terminologique. L'objectif
général de la présente Norme internationale est de fournir un cadre commun de réflexion et d'expliquer
comment une organisation ou un groupe devrait mettre en œuvre cette réflexion.
La présente Norme internationale est également destinée à aider les gestionnaires de la terminologie. Il
convient que ses principes et méthodes énoncés dans cette norme soient observés non seulement lors du
traitement des données terminologiques mais également lors de la planification et de la prise de décisions
relatives à la gestion d'un fonds terminologique. Voici, de manière non exhaustive, les principales activités
concernées:
⎯ l'identification des concepts et des relations entre concepts;
⎯ l'analyse et la modélisation des systèmes de concepts à partir des concepts et des relations entre les
concepts identifiés;
⎯ l'élaboration de représentations des systèmes de concepts au moyen de schémas conceptuels;
⎯ la définition des concepts;
⎯ l'attribution de désignations (principalement de termes) à chaque concept dans une ou plusieurs langues;
⎯ l'enregistrement et présentation des données terminologiques, essentiellement sur des supports
imprimés ou électroniques (terminographie).
Les objets, les concepts, les désignations et les définitions sont les éléments fondamentaux du travail
terminologique et forment par conséquent la base de la présente Norme internationale. Les objets sont perçus
ou conçus puis, par abstraction, ramenés à des concepts eux-mêmes représentés, dans des langues de
spécialité, par des désignations et/ou des définitions. L'ensemble des désignations appartenant à une langue
de spécialité constitue la terminologie d'un domaine particulier.
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ISO 704:2009(F)
0.2 Conventions et système de notation
Dans la présente Norme internationale et pour la langue française, le «travail terminologique» désignera la
discipline et «terminologie», utilisé au pluriel ou précédé d'un article, renverra à l'ensemble des désignations
d'un domaine particulier, tel que la terminologie juridique.
Pour maintenir une certaine cohérence lorsqu'il est fait référence aux objets, aux concepts, aux définitions et
aux désignations, les conventions de formulation suivantes ont été adoptées dans la présente Norme
internationale:
⎯ les objets
sont perçus ou conçus;
sont abstraits ou conceptualisés sous forme de concepts;
⎯ les concepts
décrivent ou correspondent à des objets ou à des ensembles d'objets;
sont représentés ou exprimés dans une langue par des désignations ou par des définitions;
sont organisés en systèmes de concepts;
⎯ les désignations (termes, appellations ou symboles)
désignent ou représentent un concept;
sont attribuées à un concept;
⎯ les définitions
définissent, représentent ou décrivent le concept.
Plus un système de concepts est complexe, plus il est nécessaire de clarifier les relations qui existent entre
les différents concepts en les représentant de manière formelle ou graphique. Les relations entre concepts
peuvent être représentées de manière formelle dans une liste. Les représentations sous forme de liste
utilisées dans la présente Norme internationale sont structurées par des indentations numérotées et
précédées d'un point (.) pour les relations génériques ou précédées d'un tiret (–) pour les relations partitives
comme le montrent les modèles suivants:
Relations génériques: Relations partitives:
Les représentations graphiques utilisées dans la présente Norme internationale sont les plus courantes.
L'application de la notation UML (Unified Modeling Language) dans le travail terminologique est décrite dans
l'ISO TR 24156.
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ISO 704:2009(F)
Représentation en arbre des relations génériques entre les
concepts
Représentation en râteau des relations partitives
Ligne avec une flèche à chaque bout pour représenter des
relations associatives entre les concepts
Le système de notation utilisé tout au long du document est le suivant:
— termes désignant les concepts définis dans l'ISO 1087-1:2000 sont en italiques;
— les concepts sont entre guillemets;
— les désignations (termes, appellations ou symboles) sont en caractères gras;
— les caractères sont soulignés;
— les exemples figurent dans des encadrés.
La présente Norme internationale suit les Directives ISO/CEI, Partie 2, 2004, concernant l'utilisation du verbe
«devoir» pour exprimer une obligation et la locution «il convient de», ou locutions équivalentes, pour formuler
une recommandation.
Il est à noter que les exemples figurant dans la présente Norme internationale ont été choisis et simplifiés à
des fins d'illustration. Lors de la traduction en d'autres langues, il peut être nécessaire de choisir d'autres
exemples pour illustrer le point en question.
Il est également à noter que les exemples des méthodes de formation des termes donnés dans l'Annexe B
sont spécifiques à la langue anglaise dans la version anglaise et à la langue française dans la version
française. Il est recommandé de ne pas traduire l'Annexe B mais de l'adapter aux contraintes de chaque
langue.
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NORME INTERNATIONALE ISO 704:2009(F)
Travail terminologique — Principes et méthodes
1 Domaine d'application
La présente Norme internationale établit et harmonise les principes fondamentaux et les méthodes permettant
d'élaborer et de compiler des terminologies, qu'il s'agisse d'activités menées dans le cadre de la normalisation
ou non, et décrit les liens établis entre les objets, les concepts et leur représentation par des terminologies.
Elle fixe également des principes généraux qui régissent la formation des termes et appellations et la
formulation des définitions. Pour une compréhension complète et approfondie de ces principes, des
connaissances de fond du travail terminologique sont nécessaires. Il s'agit de principes de nature générale et
la présente Norme internationale s'applique aux travaux terminologiques effectués dans les domaines
scientifiques, technologiques, industriels, administratifs, ainsi que dans les autres domaines de la
connaissance.
La présente Norme internationale ne décrit pas les méthodes de présentation des Normes internationales de
terminologie; celles-ci sont traitées dans l'ISO 10241.
2 Références normatives
Les documents suivants cités en référence sont indispensables à l'application du présent document. Pour les
références datées, seule l'édition citée s'applique. Pour les références non datées, la dernière édition de la
publication à laquelle il est fait référence s'applique (y compris les amendements).
ISO 1087-1, Travaux terminologiques — Vocabulaire — Partie 1: Théorie et application
3 Termes et définitions
Pour les besoins de la présente Norme internationale, les termes et définitions donnés dans l'ISO 1087-1
ainsi que les suivants s'appliquent.
3.1
définition stipulative
définition résultant de l'adaptation d'une définition lexicale à une situation unique, dans un but précis, ne
caractérisant pas un usage commun
3.2
définition ostensive
définition démonstrative
définition illustrant un ou plusieurs objets représentatifs dans l'extension du concept
3.3
concept spécialisé
concept reflétant un savoir spécifique ou technique, dans un domaine donné
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3.4
ressource terminologique
ensemble de données terminologiques
ressource textuelle ou sous forme de données comprenant des entrées terminologiques
1)
NOTE Adapté de l'ISO 26162:— .
3.5
produit terminologique
produit facilitant l'utilisation d'une langue de spécialité ou relatif au domaine de la terminologie
NOTE Les produits facilitant l'utilisation d'une langue de spécialité sont les dictionnaires, bases de données et autres
produits destinés à la diffusion d'une terminologie spécialisée, tandis que les produits relatifs au domaine de la
terminologie sont les revues, manuels de formation, outils, etc.
[ISO 22128:2008, définition 3.13]
3.6
produit terminographique
produit terminologique comprenant un ensemble de désignations et d'informations terminologiques et/ou
linguistiques destiné à faciliter l'utilisation d'une langue de spécialité
[ISO 22128:2008, définition 3.9]
4 Objets
En matière de travail terminologique, un objet est défini comme ce qui peut être perçu ou conçu. Il convient de
considérer certains objets tels qu'une machine, un diamant ou une rivière comme concrets ou matériels;
d'autres objets comme immatériels ou abstraits, notamment un plan financier, la gravité, la fluidité ou un taux
de conversion et d'autres encore comme purement imaginaires, par exemple, une licorne, la pierre
philosophale ou un personnage de la littérature. Lors de la production d'une terminologie, les discussions
philosophiques sur le fait qu'un objet a ou non une réalité sont stériles et il est par conséquent recommandé
de les éviter. Il convient plutôt de se concentrer sur la manière dont les objets sont utilisés à des fins de
communication.
Les objets sont décrits et identifiés par leurs propriétés (voir 5.4.2, Exemple 1), mais ce ne sont ni les
propriétés d'objets spécifiques ni les objets eux-mêmes que répertorie la ressource terminologique.
5 Concepts
5.1 Nature des concepts dans le travail terminologique
En matière de communication, tous les objets de l'univers ne sont pas différenciés et ne portent pas tous un
nom. Par contre, grâce à l'observation et à un processus d'abstraction appelé conceptualisation, les objets
sont classés dans des catégories, qui correspondent à des unités de connaissance appelées concepts, eux-
mêmes représentés sous différentes formes de communication (objet → concept → communication). La
présente Norme internationale ne traite pas de tous les concepts représentés par la langue mais uniquement
de ceux représentés à l'aide de la terminologie de domaines spécialisés. Dans le travail terminologique, les
concepts doivent être considérés comme des représentations mentales d'objets dans un contexte ou un
domaine spécialisé.
Il ne faut pas confondre les concepts avec les objets abstraits ou imaginaires (dans un contexte donné, les
objets concrets, abstraits ou imaginaires sont observés et conceptualisés mentalement; une désignation est
ensuite attribuée au concept plutôt qu'aux objets eux-mêmes). Le lien entre un objet et sa désignation ou
1) À publier. (Disponible en langue anglaise seulement.)
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définition correspondante s'effectue par l'intermédiaire du concept, c'est-à-dire un niveau supérieur
d'abstraction.
La production d'une terminologie nécessite une compréhension de la conceptualisation sous-jacente à la
connaissance humaine dans un domaine donné. Étant donné que le travail terminologique traite toujours
d'une langue de spécialité dans un domaine particulier de connaissance (c'est-à-dire un domaine), il convient
de ne pas considérer le concept uniquement comme une unité de pensée mais également comme une unité
de connaissance.
Les concepts contextualisés dans la langue de spécialité d'un domaine peuvent être représentés sous les
différentes formes de la communication humaine en fonction du système utilisé. Dans les langues naturelles,
les concepts peuvent être représentés par des termes, des appellations, des définitions ou d'autres formes
linguistiques; ils peuvent également être représentés par des symboles; dans les langues artificielles, ils
peuvent être représentés par des codes ou des formules, ou dans le domaine du multimédia, être exprimés
sous la forme d'icônes, d'images, de schémas, de graphiques, de bandes audio ou vidéo ou de tout autre type
de représentation multimédia. Les concepts peuvent également être représentés par le corps humain comme
dans la langue des signes, par des expressions du visage ou par des mouvements du corps. La présente
Norme internationale ne traite pas de la représentation des concepts par la langue des signes ou le langage
corporel.
Les concepts sont décrits et identifiés par leurs caractères (voir 5.4.2, Exemple 2).
5.2 Concepts généraux
Lorsqu'un concept décrit ou correspond à un ensemble de deux ou plusieurs objets constituant un groupe de
par des propriétés communes, il est appelé concept général et, dans les langues de spécialité, sa désignation
prend la forme d'un terme (par exemple disquette, liquidité, fonds de placement, etc.) ou d'un symbole
(par exemple ©, W, $).
5.3 Concepts uniques
Lorsqu'un concept décrit ou correspond à un seul objet ou qu'un objet comprenant une combinaison unique
d'entités est considéré comme une entité unique, il est appelé concept unique et est exprimé dans les langues
de spécialité par une appellation (par exemple Nations Unies, Internet, Toile mondiale) ou un symbole (par
exemple Afrique, statue de la Liberté). Les appellations renvoient à des concepts uniques et
comprennent des noms, des titres ou d'autres formes similaires et doivent être différenciées des termes
faisant référence à des concepts généraux.
Il s'ensuit que tout objet distinct doit être considéré comme un concept unique. Lorsqu'un concept unique est
désigné par une appellation formée d'entités liées, il est toujours considéré comme un concept unique même
si des mots ou des termes liés signalent habituellement la présence de plus d'un concept.
EXEMPLE
Une appellation composée de plusieurs mots dans laquelle il y a élision du mot principal peut être considérée comme un
seul concept unique. Par exemple, un tout composé de X parties, comme dans «Amérique du Nord, du Sud et centrale
(une seule zone géographique composée de trois parties) par opposition aux trois appellations «Amérique du nord»,
«Amérique centrale» et «Amérique du Sud» qui sont considérées comme trois concepts uniques distincts.
Une appellation composée de plusieurs mots et déterminants doit être interprétée comme une seule entité, qui désigne un
concept unique. Le Conseil de la radiodiffusion et des télécommunications canadiennes doit être interprété comme
constituant une seule entité et non pas deux entités (avec d'un côté le «conseil de la radiodiffusion canadienne» et de
l'autre le «conseil des télécommunications canadiennes»). De même, la Compagnie des bateaux du lac du Bourget et
du Haut-Rhône ne désigne qu'une seule entité.
Un concept unique appartenant à un système de concepts générique ne peut être subdivisé alors qu'un
concept unique appartenant à un système de concepts partitif peut être subdivisé en sous-parties (voir
5.5.2.2.2 et 5.5.2.3.2).
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ISO 704:2009(F)
5.4 Caractères
5.4.1 Nature des caractères
La formation des concepts joue un rôle primordial dans l'organisation de la connaissance humaine parce qu'elle
permet d'identifier les objets et de les regrouper en unités de signification dans un domaine particulier. Afin de
catégoriser un objet en vue de former un concept, il est nécessaire d'en déterminer les propriétés (voir
l'Exemple). Les objets perçus comme partageant les mêmes propriétés sont groupés en unités. Dès qu'une
branche de la connaissance humaine considère des objets similaires, ou même un objet unique, comme une
unité de pensée ayant une signification, les propriétés d'un seul objet ou communes à un ensemble d'objets
sont isolées par abstraction sous la forme de caractères qui sont combinés en un ensemble dans la formation
d'un concept.
Si bien que les objets, dans la vie réelle, sont identifiés par leurs propriétés. Les objets sont alors ramenés par
abstraction à des concepts, et les propriétés, à des caractères constituant ces concepts. L'abstraction désigne
le processus d'identification d'un ensemble de traits communs dans un ensemble particulier d'objets et ainsi,
sur cette base, comme formant un concept autour de cet ensemble d'objets. Les caractères sont des
qualificatifs qui précisent la signification d'un concept superordonné (voir 5.5.2.1). Il convient de noter que
«caractère» est un concept linguistique qu'il convient de ne pas confondre avec le concept «propriété» en
informatique.
EXEMPLE
Vie réelle Abstraction
est ramené par
abstraction à
L’objet Un
concept
a constitue
est ramené par
Une Un
abstraction à
propriété caractère
Les relations entre ces quatre concepts peuvent être explicitées comme suit:
⎯ Chaque objet a une ou plusieurs propriétés.
⎯ Chaque propriété d'un même type est ramenée par abstraction à un caractère.
⎯ Chaque caractère fait partie d'un ou de plusieurs concepts.
⎯ Chaque concept est constitué d'un ou de plusieurs caractères.
⎯ Chaque objet est ramené par abstraction à un ou plusieurs concepts.
5.4.2 Analyse terminologique
La combinaison de caractères dans le processus de formation des concepts est un phénomène permanent.
Le concept constitué par cet ensemble de caractères est représenté par une désignation (c'est-à-dire un
terme, une appellation ou un symbole). Étant donné qu'une désignation n'est pas attribuée à un objet mais à
un concept, lui-même représentant un ou plusieurs objets, l'analyse terminologique repose sur une
représentation du concept sous la forme d'une désignation ou d'une définition. Par conséquent, la
méthodologie utilisée pour l'analyse de terminologies nécessite:
⎯ de délimiter le contexte ou le domaine;
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ISO 704:2009(F)
⎯ d'identifier les propriétés assignées aux objets dans le domaine considéré;
⎯ de déterminer les propriétés qui sont isolées par abstraction en tant que caractères;
⎯ de combiner les caractères pour former un concept;
⎯ d'attribuer une désignation à ce concept.
Par ailleurs, il convient de noter que les propriétés utilisées pour énoncer des propriétés décrivant un objet et
les caractères qui constituent un concept désignent en eux-mêmes des concepts, parfois intégrés dans le
même domaine spécialisé, parfois non. Il peut être utile de commencer l'analyse par les concepts qui
correspondent à des objets concrets car il est plus facile d'en isoler par abstraction les caractères étant donné
qu'il est possible d'observer ou d'examiner physiquement certaines des propriétés desdits objets.
D'un point de vue théorique, il convient de commencer l'analyse terminologique par les objets en question et
par le domaine dans lequel ces objets sont considérés. Les propriétés doivent être attribuées aux objets
uniquement. Un terminologue commence par analyser les textes du discours faisant référence aux objets afin
de déterminer la manière dont ils sont désignés dans le langage. Grâce à l'analyse des discours, le
terminologue peut saisir les propriétés des différents référents dans les différents discours afin d'identifier les
propriétés qui sont définissables par abstraction en tant que caractères, par opposition à celles qui sont
spécifiques à un objet unique et ne peuvent donc pas être considérées comme des caractères.
EXEMPLE 1
Les objets spécifiques désignés par les représentations visuelles ci-dessous possèdent les propriétés spécifiques
suivantes:
⎯ dispositif; ⎯ dispositif; ⎯ dispositif;
⎯ de couleur ivoire; ⎯ bleu et gris; ⎯ noir et gris;
⎯ déplacé manuellement sur ⎯ déplacé manuellement sur une ⎯ déplacé manuellement sur une
une surface rigide et plane; surface rigide et plane; surface rigide et plane;
⎯ muni en dessous d'une
...
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST ISO 704:2013
01-marec-2013
7HUPLQRORãNRGHOR1DþHODLQPHWRGH
Terminology work -- Principles and methods
Travail terminologique -- Principes et méthodes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 704:2009
ICS:
01.020 7HUPLQRORJLMD QDþHODLQ Terminology (principles and
NRRUGLQDFLMD coordination)
oSIST ISO 704:2013 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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oSIST ISO 704:2013
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oSIST ISO 704:2013
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 704
Third edition
2009-11-01
Terminology work — Principles and
methods
Travail terminologique — Principes et méthodes
Reference number
ISO 704:2009(E)
©
ISO 2009
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oSIST ISO 704:2013
ISO 704:2009(E)
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ii © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved
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oSIST ISO 704:2013
ISO 704:2009(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
0 Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Objects.2
5 Concepts .2
5.1 Nature of concepts for terminology work.2
5.2 General concepts .3
5.3 Individual concepts .3
5.4 Characteristics.4
5.5 Concept relations .8
5.6 Concept systems.18
6 Definitions .22
6.1 Nature of definitions.22
6.2 Intensional definitions .22
6.3 Definition writing .23
6.4 Supplementary information to the definition.28
6.5 Deficient definitions .30
7 Designations .34
7.1 Types of designations.34
7.2 Terms.34
7.3 Appellations .36
7.4 Formation of terms and appellations .38
7.5 Symbols.41
Annex A (informative) Other types of definitions .44
Annex B (informative) Examples of term-formation methods.51
Annex C (informative) Categories of appellations.56
Index .60
Bibliography.64
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ISO 704:2009(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 704 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 37, Terminology and other language and content
resources, Subcommittee SC 1, Principles and methods.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 704:2000), which has been technically revised.
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ISO 704:2009(E)
0 Introduction
0.1 Overview
The terminological principles and methods provided in this International Standard are based on current
thinking and practices in terminology work.
Terminology work is multidisciplinary and draws support from a number of disciplines (e.g. logic, epistemology,
philosophy of science, linguistics, translation studies, information science and cognitive sciences) in its study
of concepts and their representations in special language and general language. It combines elements from
many theoretical approaches that deal with the description, ordering and transfer of knowledge.
The terminology work dealt with in this International Standard is concerned with terminology used for
unambiguous communication in natural, human language. The goal of terminology work as described in this
International Standard is, thus, a clarification and standardization of concepts and terminology for
communication between humans. Terminology work may be used as input for information modelling and data
modelling, but this International Standard does not cover the relation with these fields.
In line with the current trend in standardization towards providing guiding principles, this International
Standard is intended to standardize the essential elements for terminology work. The general purposes of this
International Standard are to provide a common framework of thinking and to explain how this thinking should
be implemented by an organization or group.
It is further intended to provide assistance to those involved in terminology management. The principles and
methods should be observed not only for the manipulation of terminological information but also in the
planning and decision-making involved in managing a stock of terminology. The main activities include, but
are not limited to, the following:
— identifying concepts and concept relations;
— analysing and modelling concept systems on the basis of identified concepts and concept
relations;
— establishing representations of concept systems through concept diagrams;
— defining concepts;
— attributing designations (predominantly terms) to each concept in one or more languages;
— recording and presenting terminological data, principally in print and electronic media
(terminography).
Objects, concepts, designations and definitions are fundamental to terminology work and therefore form the
basis of this International Standard. Objects are perceived or conceived and abstracted into concepts which,
in special languages, are represented by designations and/or definitions. The set of designations belonging to
one special language constitutes the terminology of a specific subject field.
0.2 Conventions and notation
In this International Standard and for the English language, ‘terminology work’ designates the discipline;
‘terminology’ used in the plural or preceded by an article refers to the set of designations of a particular
subject field, such as legal terminology.
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For the sake of consistency in reference to objects, concepts, definitions, and designations, the following
wording conventions are used in this International Standard:
— objects
are perceived or conceived;
are abstracted or conceptualized into concepts;
— concepts
depict or correspond to objects or sets of objects;
are represented or expressed in language by designations or by definitions;
are organized into concept systems;
— designations (terms, appellations or symbols)
designate or represent a concept;
are attributed to a concept;
⎯ definitions
define, represent or describe the concept.
The more complex a concept system is, the more useful it is to clarify relations among concepts by
representing them formally or graphically. Concept relations can be represented formally in a list. The formal
representations used in this International Standard are indented and numbered with a full stop (period) (.) for
generic relations and numbered with a dash (–) for partitive relations, as in the following models:
For generic relations: For partitive relations:
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The graphic representations used in this International Standard are the most typical ones. The use of
UML (Unified Modeling Language) notation for terminology work is described in ISO/TR 24156.
tree diagram to represent generic concept relations
rake diagram to represent partitive concept relations
line with arrowheads at each end to represent associative
concept relations
The notation used throughout this International Standard is as follows:
⎯ terms designating concepts defined in ISO 1087-1:2000 are in italics;
⎯ concepts are indicated by single quotes;
⎯ designations (terms, appellations or symbols) are in boldface;
⎯ characteristics are underlined;
⎯ examples are boxed.
This International Standard follows the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, 2004 with regard to the use of “shall”, which
indicates a requirement and the use of “should”, which indicates a recommendation.
It should be noted that the examples in this International Standard have been chosen and simplified for
illustrative purposes. Translation into other languages may necessitate the selection of other examples to
illustrate the points.
It should also be noted that the examples of term-formation methods, in Annex B, are specific to the English
language in the English version and to the French language in the French version. Annex B should not be
translated, but should be adapted to the needs of each language.
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oSIST ISO 704:2013
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 704:2009(E)
Terminology work — Principles and methods
1 Scope
This International Standard establishes the basic principles and methods for preparing and compiling
terminologies both inside and outside the framework of standardization, and describes the links between
objects, concepts, and their terminological representations. It also establishes general principles governing the
formation of terms and appellations and the formulation of definitions. Full and complete understanding of
these principles requires some background knowledge of terminology work. The principles are general in
nature and this International Standard is applicable to terminology work in scientific, technological, industrial,
administrative and other fields of knowledge.
This International Standard does not stipulate procedures for the layout of international terminology standards,
which are treated in ISO 10241.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1087-1, Terminology work — Vocabulary — Part 1: Theory and application
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 1087-1 and the following apply.
3.1
stipulative definition
definition which results from adapting a lexical definition to a unique situation for a given purpose and which is
not standard usage
3.2
ostensive definition
demonstrative definition
definition which exhibits one or more representative object(s) in the extension of the concept
3.3
specialized concept
concept which reflects specific or technical knowledge within a given subject field
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3.4
terminological resource
terminological data collection
TDC
text or data resource consisting of terminological entries
1)
NOTE Adapted form ISO 26162:— .
3.5
terminology product
product that supports special language use or the field of terminology
NOTE Products that support special language use refer to dictionaries, databases, and other products for the
dissemination of specialized terminology while products that support the field of terminology refer to journals, training
manuals, tools, etc.
[ISO 22128:2008, definition 3.13]
3.6
terminographical product
terminology product consisting of a set of designations and terminological and/or linguistic information to
support special language use
[ISO 22128:2008, definition 3.9]
4 Objects
In terminology work, an object is defined as anything perceived or conceived. Some objects, such as a
machine, a diamond, or a river, should be considered concrete or material; others, such as each manifestation
of financial planning, gravity, fluidity, or a conversion ratio, should be considered immaterial or abstract; still
others, for example, a unicorn, a philosopher's stone or a literary character should be considered purely
imaginary. In the course of producing a terminology, philosophical discussions on whether an object actually
exists in reality are unproductive and should be avoided. Attention should be focused on how one deals with
objects for the purposes of communication.
Objects are described and identified by their properties (see example in 5.4.1), but neither properties of
specific objects nor the objects themselves are recorded in the terminological resource.
5 Concepts
5.1 Nature of concepts for terminology work
In communication, not every individual object in the world is differentiated and named. Instead, through
observation and a process of abstraction called conceptualization, objects are categorized into classes, which
correspond to units of knowledge called concepts, which are represented in various forms of communication
(object → concept → communication). This International Standard does not deal with all concepts represented
in language but only with those represented by the terminology of specialized fields. For terminology work,
concepts shall be considered mental representations of objects within a specialized context or field.
Concepts are not to be confused with abstract or imagined objects (i.e. concrete, abstract or imagined objects
in a given context are observed and conceptualized mentally and then a designation is attributed to the
concept rather than to the objects themselves). The link between an object and its corresponding designation
or definition is made through the concept, a higher level of abstraction.
1) To be published.
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Producing a terminology requires an understanding of the conceptualization that underpins human knowledge
in a subject area. Because terminology work always deals with specialized language in a particular field of
knowledge (i.e. a subject field), the concept should be viewed not only as a unit of thought but also as a unit of
knowledge.
The concepts contextualized in the special language of the subject field can be represented in the various
forms of human communication according to the system used. In natural language, concepts can be
represented by terms, appellations, definitions or other linguistic forms; they may also be represented by
symbols; in artificial language, they can be represented by codes or formulae, while in multimedia they can be
represented by icons, pictures, diagrams, graphics, sound clips, video or other multimedia representations.
Concepts may also be represented with the human body as they are in sign language, facial expressions or
body movements. This International Standard does not deal with the representation of concepts by sign or
body language.
Concepts are described and identified by their characteristics (see 5.4.2, Example 2).
5.2 General concepts
When a concept depicts or corresponds to a set of two or more objects which form a group by reason of
common properties, it is called a general concept and, in special languages, the designation takes the form of
a term (e.g. floppy disk, liquidity, money market fund, etc.) or a symbol (e.g. ©, W, $).
5.3 Individual concepts
When the concept depicts or corresponds to a single object or when an object comprising a
unique composition of entities is considered a single entity, it is called an individual concept and is
represented in special language as an appellation (e.g. United Nations, Internet, World Wide Web) or a
symbol (e.g. Africa; Statue of Liberty). Appellations refer to individual concepts and comprise
names, titles and other similar forms and shall be distinguished from terms that refer to general concepts.
It follows that any unique object shall be considered an individual concept. When an individual concept is
designated by an appellation constructed by conjoined entities, it is still considered an individual concept even
though conjoined words or terms usually signal more than one concept.
EXAMPLE
A conjoined multi-name appellation in which there is elision of the headword can be viewed as a single individual
concept. For example, a whole with X parts, as in the case of North, Central, and South America (a single region made
up of the three parts) as opposed to the three appellations ‘North America’, ‘Central America’, and ‘South America’,
which are viewed as three separate individual concepts.
A multi-word appellation with conjoined modifiers is to be interpreted as a single entity and it designates an individual
concept, for example: The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is to be interpreted as
one entity, not two, i.e. not as the ‘Canadian Radio-television Commission’ and the ‘Canadian Telecommunications
Commission’. Similarly, Sunnybrook and Women's Colleges Health Sciences Centre is one entity.
An individual concept in a generic concept system cannot be subdivided further, while an individual concept in
a partitive concept system can be subdivided into its parts (see 5.5.2.2.2 and 5.5.2.3.2).
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5.4 Characteristics
5.4.1 Nature of characteristics
Concept formation plays a pivotal role in organizing human knowledge because it provides the means for
recognizing objects and for grouping them into meaningful units in a particular field. In order to categorize an
object for the purposes of concept formation, it is necessary to identify its properties (see the example below).
Objects perceived as sharing the same properties are grouped into units. Once similar objects, or occasionally
a single object, are viewed as a meaningful unit of knowledge within a branch of human knowledge, the
properties of an object, or those common to a set of objects, are abstracted as characteristics that are
combined as a set in the formation of a concept.
Thus, objects in the real world are identified by their properties. The objects are then abstracted as concepts
and the properties are abstracted as characteristics making up the concepts. Abstraction is the process of
recognizing some set of common features in an individual set of objects and, on that basis, forming a concept
of that set of objects. Characteristics are qualifiers and narrow the meaning of a superordinate concept (see
5.5.2.1). It should be noted that ‘characteristic’ is a linguistic concept which should not be confused with the
information technology (IT) concept ‘property’.
EXAMPLE
Real World Abstraction
is abstracted into
object concep t
has constitutes
property characteristic
is abstracted by
The relations between these four concepts might be further elucidated by the following statements.
⎯ Each object has one or multiple properties.
⎯ Each property of a similar kind is abstracted into one characteristic.
⎯ Each characteristic is part of one or multiple concepts.
⎯ Each concept is constituted by one or multiple characteristics.
⎯ Each object is abstracted into one or multiple concepts.
5.4.2 Terminological analysis
The coming together of a unique set of characteristics to make a concept is an everyday occurrence. The
concept made up of this set of characteristics is represented by a designation (i.e. a term, appellation or
symbol). Since a designation is not attributed to an object but to a concept, the latter depicting one or more
objects, terminological analysis is based upon a representation of the concept in the form of a designation or a
definition. Therefore, the methodology used in the analysis of terminologies requires:
⎯ identifying the context or subject field;
⎯ identifying the properties attributed to objects in the subject field;
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⎯ determining those properties which are abstracted into characteristics;
⎯ combining the characteristics to form a concept;
⎯ attributing a designation.
It should also be noted that the properties used to state properties that describe an object and the
characteristics that make up a concept designate in themselves concepts, sometimes within the same
specialized field, sometimes not. It may be useful to begin an analysis with those concepts corresponding to
concrete objects, since the characteristics are more easily abstracted given that the properties of the objects
can be physically observed or examined.
In an abstract way, terminological analysis should begin with the objects in question and the subject field
contextualizing those objects. Properties shall be ascribed only to objects. A terminologist begins by analysing
discourse texts which refer to objects to see how they are designated in language. By analysing a certain
number of discourse texts, the terminologist can get an understanding of the properties of the various
referents in the different discourse texts, so as to determine those properties that can be abstracted as
characteristics, as opposed to those properties that are unique to an individual object and, therefore, cannot
be seen as characteristics.
EXAMPLE 1
The specific objects designated by the visual representations below have the following specific properties:
⎯ a device; ⎯ a device; ⎯ a device;
⎯ ivory-coloured; ⎯ blue and grey; ⎯ black-grey;
⎯ hand-manoeuvred along a ⎯ hand-manoeuvred along a ⎯ hand-manoeuvred along a
firm, flat surface; firm, flat surface; firm, flat surface;
⎯ has a ball on its underside; ⎯ has a ball on its underside; ⎯ has a ball on its underside;
⎯ has three buttons; ⎯ has two buttons; ⎯ has two buttons;
⎯ has a wire for connecting to a ⎯ has a wire for connecting to ⎯ has a wire for connecting to
computer; a computer; a computer;
⎯ rollers detect the movement ⎯ rollers detect the movement ⎯ rollers detect the movement
of the ball; of the ball; of the ball;
⎯ the ball controls the ⎯ the ball controls the ⎯ the ball controls the
movement of a cursor on a movement of a cursor on a movement of a cursor on a
computer display screen. computer display screen. computer display screen.
If the objects in Example 1 are contextualized in the field of computer hardware, these particular objects are
recognized as belonging to the set of objects that has been conceptualized as ‘mechanical mouse’. In the
process of conceptualization, the properties of all the objects in the category are abstracted into
characteristics, that is, the properties of the objects are converted into generalizations applied to the entire set
as opposed to the individual objects, as illustrated in Example 2.
To facilitate this analysis, the properties of objects may be grouped into categories such as part, function,
composition, colour, shape, operation, location. Categories appropriate to the subject field can be found from
reference works and encyclopedias, but any list has to be used flexibly, and it should be assumed that
additional categories are likely to be needed to adequately represent all the properties. For practical purposes,
beginning with one of the more typical objects is recommended. The identification of characteristics shall be
based on specialized knowledge in the field and this often requires research. Experienced terminologists for
whom the concept in question is clear and straightforward may move directly to identifying the characteristics.
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The following example is a preliminary analysis of the concept ‘mechanical mouse’. Concepts denoting
non-physical objects, e.g. ‘bankruptcy’, shall be analysed along the same lines.
EXAMPLE 2
Concept
...
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