ISO 12620 data categories section 05

Section 05: Concept related description


05.01 definition

Description: A statement that describes a concept and permits its differentiation from other concepts within a system of concepts.

Note: For definition of related term, see ISO 1087:1990, 4.1

DXLT representation: <descrip type='definition'>content unrestricted (noteText)</descrip>


05.02 explanation

Description: A statement that describes and clarifies a concept and makes it understandable, but does not necessarily differentiate it from other concepts.

Example: Explanation of catalyst: <chemistry> material that triggers or accelerates a chemical reaction

Note: In order to constitute an adequate definition, this explanation (which would be classified as defective if it were viewed as a definition) needs to include the information that the catalyst itself is not changed by the reaction.

DXLT representation: <descrip type='explanation'>content unrestricted(noteText)</descrip>

05.03 context

Description: A text or part of a text in which a term occurs.

Note 1: For definition of related term, see ISO 1087:1990, 6.1.5.7

Note 2: Contexts are documented very frequently in descriptive and translation-oriented terminology work. Some databases use "xample" for contextual references. Such data categories should be converted to the data category "context" for interchange purposes.

In addition to providing information about concepts, contexts provide text-typological information valuable for determining term usage and collocational references. Consequently some databases classify context as a term-related data category.

DXLT representation: <descrip type='context'>content unrestricted(noteText)</descrip>


05.04 example

Description: Descriptive material that provides a sample of the object or entity defined in the entry.

Note: Some databases use "example" for contextual references. Such items should be converted to the data category "context" for interchange purposes.

DXLT representation: <descrip type='example'>content unrestricted(noteText)</descrip>


05.05 nontextual illustrations


05.05.01 figure

Description: A diagram, picture, or other graphic material used to illustrate a concept or group of concepts.

Example: Annex C, Figure C.4, shows an illustrative figure that might be used in conjunction with a term entry.

DXLT representation

<descrip type='figure'  target='bindat-idref'>bindat-descrip</descrip>


05.05.02 audio

Description: Sound, spoken words, music, or other audible representation used to illustrate or explain terms or concepts.

Example: A recording of the pronunciation of a term coordinated with a term entry in a multimedia environment.

DXLT representation

<descrip type='audio'  target='bindat-idref'>bindat-descrip</descrip>


05.05.03 video

Description: Recorded visual images used to represent or illustrate terminological information.

Example: Video images can be used to illustrate a concept, a process, a test method, etc.

Note: Digitized video can include an audio component.

DXLT representation

<descrip type='video'  target='bindat-idref'>bindat-descrip</descrip>


05.05.04 table

Description: An array of data arranged in columns and rows used in documenting, explaining, or describing a concept within a terminology collection.

Example: Annex D consists of a set of tables.

DXLT representation

<descrip type='table'  target='bindat-idref'>bindat-descrip</descrip>


05.05.05 other binary data

Description: Any foreign data not covered by the previous categories.

Example: Spreadsheets, virtual reality files, flight simulations, and the like.

DXLT representation

<descrip type='otherBinaryData'  target='bindat-idref'>bindat-descrip</descrip>


05.06 unit

Description: A relationship between a reference value as defined by an authoritative body; a quantity measured.

example: force is measured in newtons

length is measured in millimetres

weight is measured in grams

Note: There is only one unit for each quantity in SI. The unit used to measure a quantity can be extraordinarily valuable in a terminology collection. In some cases, it can represent a major characteristic for determining the precise identity of a referenced concept, especially if polysemy or lack of precision creates ambiguity in a text.

DXLT representation

<descriptype='unit'>basicText</descrip>


05.07 range

Description: The relationship between a set of limits within which a quantity is measured, as expressed by stating the lower and upper range values.

example: 0 - 100 °C = liquid state of water

Note: Range, like unit, can be a critical delimiting characteristic in defining a concept, particularly in materials databases.

DXLT representation

<descriptype='range'>basicText</descrip>


05.08 characteristic

Description: A mental representation of a property of an object serving to form and delimit its concept.

Note: For definition of related term, see ISO 1087:1990, 3.2

Example: compressibility (gas)

flammability (fuel)

liquidity (financial assets)

DXLT representation

<descriptype='characteristic'>basicText</descrip>


05.09 Concept Origin

Description:IATE datacategory yet to be defined

DXLT Example: