ISO 704-2022 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 704:2022 — Terminology work — Principles and methods. This International Standard establishes the basic principles and methods for preparing, compiling and managing terminologies; it describes links between objects, concepts, definitions and designations and gives general principles for term formation, proper names and the writing of definitions.

Abstract

This document sets out core terminology principles and methods applicable to terminology work in scientific, technological, industrial, legal, administrative and other fields. It explains concept–designation relationships, concept systems, types of definitions (intensional and extensional), principles for writing clear non‑circular definitions, term-formation principles and the role of supplementary information (examples, notes). It also clarifies that presentation formats for terminological entries in International Standards are dealt with in ISO 10241-1 and ISO 10241-2.

General information

• Status: Published (current international standard).
• Publication date: 5 July 2022.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 01.020 — Terminology (principles and coordination).
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (ISO 704, 2022).
• Number of pages: 80 pages.

Scope

ISO 704:2022 applies to terminology work both inside and outside the framework of standardization. It covers the conceptual foundations of terminology (concepts, intension and extension, characteristics), how to model concept systems and relations, rules and recommendations for writing definitions, and principles for forming and selecting terms and other designations. It is intended to support consistent, unambiguous terminology work across many domains, but it does not prescribe presentation formats for terminological entries in International Standards (see ISO 10241‑1 and ISO 10241‑2).

Key topics and requirements

• Concepts and objects: treatment of concepts as units of knowledge that link real-world objects to designations (conceptualization, intension and extension).
• Characteristics and concept analysis: identifying essential, delimiting and other characteristics used to differentiate concepts.
• Concept relations and systems: hierarchical (generic/specific), partitive and associative relations; modelling and diagramming coherent concept systems.
• Definitions: principles for writing intensional (genus + differentia) and extensional definitions, avoiding circularity, and handling deficient or incomplete definitions.
• Designations and term formation: rules and recommendations for choosing terms, proper names, symbols, handling synonymy and polysemy, and principles for term derivation and harmonization.
• Supplementary information: use of scope notes, examples, encyclopaedic information and references to support definitions and clarify usage.
• Normative boundaries: focus on principles and methods rather than entry presentation (see ISO 10241-1 / ISO 10241-2) and reference to terminology vocabulary standards (e.g., ISO 1087).

Typical use and users

Terminologists, lexicographers, terminology managers, standards developers, technical writers, translators and subject-matter experts use ISO 704:2022 to design, compile and validate glossaries, termbases and concept systems; to write clear, consistent definitions; and to harmonize terminology across documents, products and multilingual resources. It is also used in academic and professional training on terminology theory and practice.

Related standards

Closely related standards include ISO 10241‑1 and ISO 10241‑2 (presentation formats for terminological entries in International Standards) and ISO 1087 (Terminology work and terminology science — Vocabulary). ISO 704:2022 replaces ISO 704:2009 as the current edition.

Keywords

terminology, concept, concept system, definition, designation, term formation, termbase, glossary, intension, extension, ISO 704, ISO/TC 37.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 704:2022 is an International Standard that defines the principles and methods for terminology work — how concepts and terms are analysed, defined and organized.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers conceptual foundations (concepts, characteristics, intension/extension), modelling of concept systems, principles for writing definitions (intensional and extensional), term formation and designation issues, supplementary information and the normative scope of terminology work; it does not set out presentation templates for entries in ISO standards.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Terminologists, technical committee and standards editors, translators, lexicographers, terminology managers, technical authors and subject-matter experts who develop glossaries, termbases, taxonomies and standardised vocabularies.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO 704:2022 (Edition 4, published 5 July 2022) is the published edition; it supersedes ISO 704:2009.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the ISO/TC 37 family of terminology standards and complements related documents such as ISO 10241‑1, ISO 10241‑2 (entry presentation) and ISO 1087 (terminology vocabulary).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Concepts, definitions, designations, term formation, intension, extension, concept system, terminology, glossary.