Overview
ISO 26162-1:2019 - Management of terminology resources - Terminology databases - Part 1: Design - defines implementation- and use-case-independent principles for terminology database design. It sets out a “maximum approach” for designing distributed, multilingual terminology databases (termbases) to support high-quality terminology creation, processing and reuse. The standard targets terminologists, translators, technical communicators, language planners, subject-matter experts and terminology management system developers.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 26162-1 describes the logical structure and modelling principles needed to create robust, interoperable terminology databases. Key topics include:
- Terminological metamodel: a hierarchical data model that defines levels where data categories are anchored (concept entries, language sections, term sections, etc.).
- Data categories: definition and classification of data categories (e.g., /definition/, /subject field/), including types, shared resources and concept relations.
- Concept orientation: principle that each concept entry represents a single concept and that homographs are stored in separate entries.
- Term autonomy: terms within a concept entry are independent sub-units and can be described with the same data categories.
- Repeatability and data elementarity: rules for repeatable fields and ensuring fields contain a single data element (avoid mixing full form and abbreviation in one field).
- Data granularity and modelling variation: guidance on choosing the level of granularity (fine-grained vs. coarse-grained data categories) and handling alternative data-modeling approaches.
- Roles and governance: recommended role definitions and early planning for long-term management of the terminology resource.
- Normative alignment with related ISO guidance: ISO 704, ISO 1087, ISO 12620, ISO 16642 and ISO 23185.
Practical applications and users
ISO 26162-1 is practical for anyone designing or evaluating terminology databases and related systems:
- Terminologists & language planners: model concept entries, definitions, and term relations for consistent multilingual terminology.
- Translators & interpreters: ensure termbases capture language-specific information (part of speech, usage notes) to improve translation quality.
- Technical communicators & subject experts: create authoritative glossaries and domain vocabularies for documentation and training.
- Terminology management system developers: design data models and APIs that support interoperability, repeatability and data elementarity.
- Organizations: build distributed, multilingual termbases for product localization, standards development, regulatory compliance, and knowledge management.
Related standards
ISO 26162-1 is part of the ISO 26162 series (design and system development). It references and complements:
- ISO 704 (Terminology principles and methods)
- ISO 1087 (Terminology vocabulary)
- ISO 12620 (Data category specifications)
- ISO 16642 (Terminological markup framework)
- ISO 23185 (Assessment and benchmarking of terminological resources)
Using ISO 26162-1 helps organizations create interoperable, high-quality terminology databases that scale from small glossaries to distributed multilingual termbases.