What is ISO 12620:2021?

ISO 12620:2021 is an international standard that provides guidelines for creating and managing terminological entries. It offers a comprehensive framework for terminology work, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the field of language resources. The standard was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and was last updated in 2021.

Why is ISO 12620:2021 important?

Terminology plays a crucial role in various domains, including technical communication, translation, localization, and information management. ISO 12620:2021 helps organizations streamline their terminology management processes to enhance communication, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. By following this standard, companies can ensure consistency and interoperability across different platforms, languages, and industries.

Key principles of ISO 12620:2021

ISO 12620:2021 outlines several key principles that should be followed when creating and managing terminological entries:

Concept-oriented approach: The standard emphasizes the importance of capturing concepts accurately, as opposed to simply translating words. This ensures that terminological entries are not limited by specific languages or contexts.

Structured organization: The standard provides guidelines for structuring terminological entries based on specific elements such as definitions, sources, part-of-speech, etc. This structured approach facilitates easy retrieval and comparison of terminological data.

Clear documentation: ISO 12620:2021 emphasizes the need for clear and complete documentation of terminological entries. This includes capturing metadata, documenting sources, and providing usage examples to facilitate understanding and appropriate usage of terms.

Consistency and compatibility: The standard promotes the use of consistent terminology within and across different language resources. It also focuses on ensuring compatibility with other existing terminological resources and standards.

Implementation and benefits

Implementing ISO 12620:2021 can bring several benefits to organizations involved in terminology management. Firstly, it improves the quality and consistency of terminology, leading to enhanced communication and reduced ambiguity. Secondly, it streamlines workflow processes, making it easier to retrieve, update, and exchange terminological data. Thirdly, it facilitates collaboration and interoperability among different stakeholders, including translators, writers, technical experts, and localization teams.

In conclusion, ISO 12620:2021 provides clear guidelines for creating and managing terminological entries. By following this international standard, organizations can ensure accuracy, consistency, and interoperability in their terminology work, resulting in improved communication and efficient knowledge transfer.