TS 3252

TS 3252 is a terminology standard concerned with the layout of multilingual classified vocabularies. Its subject is the structural organisation of vocabularies that present equivalent terms in more than one language, arranged by subject or concept rather than purely alphabetically, so that users can move across languages within a consistent conceptual framework.

What a multilingual classified vocabulary is

A classified vocabulary groups terms according to subject matter or conceptual relationships. In a multilingual setting, the corresponding terms in different languages are presented together for each concept. This is especially useful in technical terminology, translation workflows, and controlled term management, where the same concept must be recognised consistently across languages.

This standard addresses the layout of such vocabularies rather than the technical content of the terms themselves. According to the scope, it applies both to standardised vocabularies and to non-standardised vocabularies. In practical terms, it provides a general framework for how the vocabulary is organised, displayed, and linked across languages.

Why the layout matters

A well-structured terminology resource makes it easier to trace concepts, definitions, equivalent expressions, and subject groupings. In engineering, science, and other technical fields, a multilingual layout supports terminological consistency and helps reduce the risk of misalignment between languages when documents are prepared, translated, or indexed.

This edition of TS 3252 is recorded as equivalent to ISO/R 1149 and is now withdrawn. Even so, it remains a useful reference for understanding the historical approach to organising multilingual, subject-classified vocabularies.