Overview
ISO 6196-1:1993 - "Micrographics - Vocabulary - Part 1: General terms" is the second-edition, bilingual (English/French) glossary in the ISO 6196 series. It presents 29 general micrographics terms with carefully drafted definitions in English and French to minimize language-specific ambiguity and to facilitate accurate translation into other languages. This part provides the foundational terminology used across the rest of the ISO 6196 multipart vocabulary for microforms, microimages and related processes.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Bilingual definitions: Each entry is offered in English and French; wording is chosen to avoid language-specific peculiarities to simplify international translation and harmonization.
- Entry structure: Entries follow ISO presentation rules and may include:
- index number (common across languages),
- the term and preferred national variants,
- permitted abbreviations and synonyms,
- the text of the definition,
- examples, notes, figures or tables where helpful.
- Classification and numbering: Parts, groups and entries use consistent numeric schemes so different language versions remain aligned.
- Editorial rules: Guidance on plural forms, use of boldface for defined terms, brackets and parentheses for variant wording, and preferred US English spelling in the English text.
- Scope control: Definitions are designed to avoid polysemy where possible (if a term has several meanings, each meaning gets a separate entry).
- Informative annex: Annex A in this part is for information only (non-normative).
Practical Applications and Users
ISO 6196-1:1993 serves as the authoritative vocabulary reference wherever clear and consistent micrographics terminology is needed. Typical users include:
- Archivists, librarians and records managers standardizing descriptions and metadata for microforms and microfilmed collections.
- Micrographics equipment manufacturers and service providers (film processors, scanners, duplicators) needing consistent product documentation and specifications.
- Standards developers and technical writers preparing specifications, procurement documents or training materials.
- Translators and international project teams requiring accurate cross‑language term mapping for micrographics systems and procedures.
- Researchers and educators in information preservation, imaging and optical storage disciplines.
Related Standards
- ISO 6196 (other parts): Part 2 (image positions and recording), Part 3 (film processing), Part 4 (materials and packaging), Part 5 (image quality, legibility, inspection), Part 6 (equipment), Part 7 (computer micrographics), Part 8 (application).
- ISO 10241 (terminology presentation/layout) and ISO 1087 (terminology basics) are referenced for editorial and terminological principles.
- ISO 3166 (country codes) is used for identifying country-specific preferred terms.
Keywords: ISO 6196-1:1993, micrographics vocabulary, microform, microimage, microfilm terminology, archival standards, terminology standardization.
