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6. Model semantics
[> 7.][< 5.2.9][^^^]
6.0 Model semantics
[> 6.1][> 7.][< 6.][^^][^^^]
Semantics is about the meaning of things
[[1] - by definition
 [1] - by association
]
The information item "UBL name", i.e. element type name, is mnemonic
[[1] - the label of the information item in the XML document structure
 [1] - the mnemonic is meant to be a useful reminder of the semantic behind the term
 [1] - the mnemonic is not meant to define the term
 [1] - NDR rule GNR1 requires information item names to be in Oxford English
]
The information item "Definition" and "Alternate Business Terms" are descriptive and meant to convey the semantic meaning
[[1] - inappropriate for use in other languages because multiple readers of a given language may interpret or translate the definition differently
 [1] - would need a language-specific version of these to consistently convey meaning to a group of readers of a language other than English
]
That the UBL schemas are normative mandates the mnemonics used for element names be unchangeable in all uses of UBL
[[1] - the descriptions associated with the mnemonics are informative
 [1] - transliteration of the element types does not maintain the "UBL-ness" of the document
 [1] - it is inappropriate, and not compatible with UBL, to use translated element and attribute names in instances
]
6.1 Localizations
[> 7.][< 6.0][^^][^^^]
6.1.1 Localizations
[> 6.1.2][> 7.][< 6.0][^^][^^^]
A localization documents descriptive meanings of the UBL mnemonics in different languages
[[1] - thus a common understanding of the meaning of information items underpins international interoperability
]
A UBL localization subcommittee is formed for each locale
[[1] - responsible for determining the descriptions and alternate business terms
 [1] - responsible for local outreach and promotion
 [1] - each committee is named using the two-character locale (language or country code) followed by "LSC" for "Localization Subcommittee"
[[2] - e.g. ESLSC is the Spanish Localization Subcommittee
]]
Localizations available or announced or with a committee formed for development:
[[1] - Chinese (Simple)
 [1] - Chinese (Traditional)
 [1] - Danish
 [1] - German
 [1] - Italian
 [1] - Japanese
 [1] - Korean
 [1] - Spanish
 [1] - Turkish
]
A localization provides a definition and example business terms for each UBL name
[[1] - there is no UBL oversight governance on how a localization committee determines the definition of a localization
[[2] - a localization subcommittee may have its own internal processes, meeting schedules and methodologies for establishing the values used in a localization
][1] - the publishing of a localization is a UBL process triggered by a localization committee fulfilling the UBL committee process requirements
[[2] - there is no measurement of accuracy performed by the UBL committee
][1] - the acceptance of a localization by users is the ultimate determination of accuracy and suitability
]
A localization is not a customization
[[1] - a localization cannot change any of the UBL-defined properties of information items
 [1] - a customization can compatibly change the use of information items in a UBL interchange
[[2] - this is described in more detail in [Chapter 9.]
]]
A localization facilitates but does not specify semantic interoperability for a given culture
[[1] - a localization is not a machine-processed expression of formal semantics
[[2] - but the format of the localization content could be one that can be machine-processed by applications if so desired
[[3] - could be used in the adaptation of user interfaces in different languages
]][1] - a localization only provides a common definition for understanding the meaning behind a construct defined by UBL
]
The UBL name is the normative information item name used in the XML interchange
[[1] - the name of the element or the name of the attribute
 [1] - this forms the key of the information items defined localization definition
]
The associated UBL definition is the basis of the translation that creates the localized definition
[[1] - a localized definition is not determined from the UBL name or UBL business term
]
The localized definition is the basis of the determination of the associated localized business terms
[[1] - a localized business term is not determined from the UBL name or UBL business term
]
[Figure 6.1: The localization paths for translations
The diagram depicts how the English language alternative business terms are inferred from the definitions and how both are found within the model spreadsheets. A line from the English definitions to the new language definitions shows the relationship between the two. A line from the language definitions to the language alternative business terms shows the inference relationship between the two. A dotted line with a large X indicates there is no relationship between the English alternative business rules and the language alternative business rules.
]
6.1.2 Localization spreadsheets
[> 6.1.3][> 7.][< 6.1.1][^][^^][^^^]
The UBL International Data Dictionary (IDD) documents the translations of the descriptions and business terms in a spreadsheet:
[[1] - [http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/members/200811/msg00001.html]
[[2] - public review draft for Spanish, Italian, Japanese
][1] - copy of English definition for reference in Column D (scrolled left in screen shot)
 [1] - localization committee supplies two columns G and H for their language
 [1] - left-click cell at row 5 column D, use menu item Window/Freeze
 [1] - optionally hide width of columns A and B and height of row 1
[[2] - left-click on row/column label, then right-click "Hide"
]]
[Figure 6.2: International Data Dictionary spreadsheet screenshot
A screen shot depicts columns C through H and rows 2 through 16 of the spreadsheet.
]
6.1.3 Public involvement
[> 7.][< 6.1.2][^][^^][^^^]
UBL.xml.org forum for public involvement in creating a localization
[[1] - [http://ubl.xml.org/forums/ubl-international-data-dictionary-idd-contributions]
 [1] - xml.org membership agreement covers the intellectual property of contributions to the site
]
The editorial board chairman sets up Google spreadsheets for candidate languages
[[1] - participants are given write permissions to add their own content to the spreadsheets
 [1] - any language can be requested
 [1] - 33 spreadsheets are created for each language
]
Not limited to only those languages covered by existing localization committees
[[1] - once the critical mass of definitions and terms is contributed by the community, a subcommittee could then be formed
[[2] - all spreadsheets must be complete for a submission to go ahead
 [2] - completion may happen in UBL.xml.org or within the subcommittee
][1] - the new subcommittee takes ownership of the spreadsheet contents
 [1] - the new subcommittee reviews the contents for any glaring issues
 [1] - the new subcommittee packages up the spreadsheets for submission for public review
 [1] - the technical committee reviews the submission and approves the public review
 [1] - the public review process finds any further problems to be addressed
]


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+//ISBN 1-894049::CSL::Presentation::UBL//DOCUMENT Practical Universal Business Language Deployment 2009-02-12 13:50UTC//EN
Practical Universal Business Language Deployment
Third Edition - 2009-02-12
ISBN 978-1-894049-23-8
Copyright © Crane Softwrights Ltd.