INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

© IEC:2007

Terminology: Changes in rules

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

Joanna GoodwinTerminology Coordinator

Representations of concepts (terms, abbreviated forms and symbols) shall be given according to their order of preference:•if an abbreviation is the preferred representation then it shall be given first•if a symbol is the preferred representation then it shall be given first

Abbreviated forms not identified by “(abbreviation)”, “(acronym)”, etc.

Preferred designations are in bold

Admitted and deprecated designations are in light face

Deprecated designations are prefixed by “DEPRECATED:” (“DÉCONSEILLÉ:” in French)

Exs 1 - 11

Ex 5

Exs 1 - 11

Exs 2, 4 & 5

Exs 2 & 9

2

Differentiate between definitions (verbal description) and non-verbal representations (visual representation, e.g. figures, tables, formulae)

If a non-verbal representation (e.g. figure, table, formula) is located outside the terminological entry, introduce the cross-reference by the prefix “SEE:” (“VOIR:” in French)

Single non-verbal representation in an entry need not be numbered

Exs 3, 6 & 11

3

Additional information that supplements the terminological data prefixed by “Note # to entry:” (“Note # à l'article:” in French) not “NOTE”

Footnotes are not permissible

When a terminological entry is derived from elsewhere, indication of the source reference prefixed by “SOURCE:”

Editorial modifications need not be indicated

Technical modifications shall be identified by the addition of “modified” (“modifiée” in French) (no longer “MOD”) and shall be described with suitable justification

Exs 1, 6 & 11

Exs 5, 7 & 8

4

Occurrence number not permitted as an attribute to indicate where same term designates different concepts (i.e. homographs). Instead

•in a “Note # to entry”, add a cross-reference to the other entries in which the term is defined•provide a specific use following the term

Symbols not prefixed by “symb.:”

Two or more symbols presented on separate lines (and not separated by a comma or a semi-colon)

Exs 6 & 11

Exs 3, 8 & 9

5

Parts of a term that may be omittedUse of parentheses to show parts of a term that may be omitted not permitted.Instead

•write each term and synonym as it would appear in the middle of a sentence•present each term and synonym on a separate line, in the order of usage preference

Abbreviations are not followed by the indication “(abbreviation)”

Deprecated designations are prefixed by “DEPRECATED:” (“DÉCONSEILLÉ:” in French)

”deprecated in this sense” (“déconseillé dans ce sens” in French) is no longer permitted

Ex 5

Exs 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6

Exs 2 & 9

6

Specific use

•delimited by angle brackets < > and not parentheses ( )•separated from the term by a comma•may refer to one term / one language only

Differentiate between definitions (verbal description) and non-verbal representations (visual representation, e.g. figures, tables, formulae)

If a non-verbal representation (e.g. figure, table, formula) is located outside the terminological entry, introduce the cross-reference by the prefix “SEE:” (“VOIR:” in French)

Single non-verbal representation in an entry need not be numbered

Ex 11

Exs 3, 6 & 11

7

Notes and examples to definitions are in separate elements•notes to definitions are prefixed by “Note # to entry:”(“Note # à l'article:” in French) and not “NOTE”•examples are prefixed by “EXAMPLE” (“EXEMPLE” in French) (numbered if more than one)

Source •prefixed by “SOURCE:”•does not need to be in square brackets

Exs 5, 7 & 8

Exs 1, 4, 6 & 11

8