Kjell Åge Bringsrud

Meeting report from the ISO/IEC JTC1 SC36/RG3 Interim Meeting
Montreal, Canada, January 7^th to 9^th, 2004

1)Welcome and acknowledgment of the agenda:
The proposed agenda in document SC36 N0657 was discussed and revised as documented in Annex A. A complete list of the documents tabled and used for SC36/RG3 work at the interim meeting is attached as Annex B. Some of the documents have not yet being distributed as SC36 documents, and thus no SC36 document numbers do yet exist. These documents are referenced via their existing JTC1 or JTC1/SC documents number. Those marked with an “*”, the SC36/RG3 Chair will be requesting the SC36 Secretariat to post as SC36 or SC36/RG3 documents.

2)Mode of operation for SC36/RG3:
The SC36/RG3 document resulting from the Seoul/RG3 meeting and referenced in SC36/RG3 Seoul Resolution #3 and adopted by SC36/RG3 as “SC36/RG3 Nxxx (see 36N0628) titled “Mode of Operation with the WGs within SC36 and collaboration with other Committees outside of SC36” was discussed. This document is not yet available as a SC36 distributed document and thus must be assigned a SC36 document number. The document contained some minor editorial errors which were corrected, resulting in a revised document, SC36/RG3 Nxx1. SC36/RG3 resolved to recommend that the corrected draft be adopted by SC36 at its upcoming 2004-03 Plenary meeting. [See also SC36/RG3 2004-01 Meeting Resolution #1].

3)Issue of SC36/WGs not utilizing new “Annex E”:

It was noted that the SC36 WGs are not applying the new Annex E to the intended extent in the NP balloting process, and it was decided to write a resolution encouraging the WGs to do better. RG3 also noted that JTC1 is implementing a new automated system for handling NWIs which might be of help in the process. SC36 should take account of this. [See also SC36/RG3 Interim Meeting Resolutions #2 and #3]

4)Review of documents:
Jake Knoppers and Janice Pereira presented the following documents:

* JTC1 N7335 “Response to JTC1 Sophia resolution #39: Development of
a Solution for the Unambiguous inter-working of codes for countries,
languages and currencies”
* SC36 N0603 “Annex C (Normative) Codes Representing UN Member
States and Their Official (or de facto) Languages" forming part of draft
CD Document (version 2.0) of ISO/IEC 15944-5 Information technology
- Business agreement semantic descriptive techniques - Part 5
* SC32 N1067 (ISO/IEC FDIS 5218) “Information Technology – Codes
for the representation of human sexes” and specifically its Annex A
“Annex A (Informative) —Codes for the representation of the human
sexes supporting (linguistic) cultural adaptability Annexe A
(Informative) — Codes de représentation des sexes humains supportant
l’adaptabilité culturelle (linguistique)

A discussion followed regarding the applicability of coded domains versus value domains for CLFA. Frank Farance pointed to documents SC36 N551 to SC36 N556 (ISO/IEC 11179) “Metadata Registries” and document SC36 N558 (ISO/IEC DTR 20943-3) “Procedures for achieving metadata registry content consistency – Part 3: Value domains”.

5)TR on culturally independent Value Domains:
Erlend Øverby presented some ideas on how to build and maintain culturally independent value domains (see SC36 Nyyyy), and Frank Farance explained the use of value domains. Note: Document SC36Nyyyy exists in a reviced version; see SC36 Nyyy1. Jake Knoppers noted that many of the cultural adaptability issues identified were also being addressed as part of e-business related standards development on business semantic descriptive techniques (including the use of “coded domains” and “(multilingual human interface equivalents). Here SC36 documents N0306 and Sc36N0307 provide some examples.

6)JTC1 Resolution #10 out of Seoul:
Erlend Øverby was tasked by JTC1 at its November, 2003, Singapore Plenary to lead a cooperative approach to defining the notion of “accommodation information”. Quoting JTC1 document J1N7301 Resolution 10 states:

Resolution 10 - Cooperation on Accommodation Information

JTC1 resolves that SC32, SC35, SC36 and other subcommittees cooperate in the area of defining the notion of «accommodation information» (see JTC1/N7082, JTC1/N7137), including as needed infrastructure and user interfaces. An initial draft report should be completed and submitted in time for consideration at the October 2004 JTC1 plenary. Mr Erlend Øverby will initiate this cooperative activity and prepare the report.

SC36/RG3 is requesting to SC36 that it be the focal point for providing input to JTC1 on behalf of SC36. {See also SC36/RG3 2004-01 Meeting resolution #7}

It was noted that the “Second draft of SC36 CLFA Charter” (SC36 N458) states that “accommodation is one kind of adaptation”, and that this notion is further elaborated in document SC36 N507 “SC36 and SC36/CLFA Overview” using TC37 N1087 Part 1 notation. (The latter is a system for defining terminology). It should be noted that the “concept diagram” presented here is deemed to apply from a SC36 perspective, but not necessarily so for other SCs. The underlying driver for the use of these diagrams should be explained. Here the discussion s benefited from input from SC35 on Appendix E.

Erlend Øverby will write a letter inviting the JTC1 SCs to a meeting where the definition of the notion of “accommodation information” will be addressed. In this letter he plans to include some “use cases” and/or “scenarios” exemplifying various usage of accommodation information. Mr. Øverby asks SC36/RG3 for contributions specifying such examples {See also SC36/RG3 2004-01 Meeting resolution #7}.

7)Presentation and discussion of the SC35 input on Appendix E:
At its November 2003 Singapore plenary meeting, JTC1 also decided on the following resolution:

Resolution 10a - Survey of additional NP criteria by SC35 JTC1 authorises the review by SC35 of the set of proposed new NP criteria for cultural and linguistic adaptability, and their survey of other SC's as to their need for such additional criteria (see JTC1/7286, JTC1/7302-7). The survey should be completed and submitted in time for consideration at the October 2004 JTC1 plenary.

In the context of this JTC1 resolution 10a, JTC1/SC35 undertook work in December, 2003 with respect to Resolution 10a, and shared the resulting working document SC35N538RR (2003-12-12) with SC36/RG3 participants (see SC36 Nxxa).

The group went through the document and produced a revised document (SC36 Nxxb/SC35 N0xxx); relevant references were included as footnotes in the revised document. SC35 preferred the term “human ability” instead of “function” and had incorporated this in its document. RG3 decided to keep the “function” concept because it is used by WHO, but agreed to use the term “human functioning” instead of “function”. The meaning of the term “national translation” was also questioned, and Frank Farance will come up with a reference to the ISO definition of the term. An alternative text was included in a footnote for potential alternative use.

RG3 expresses appreciation to SC35 for sharing its working document with the group. It resolves to use the document resulting from this consultation in RG3. {See also SC36/RG3 2004-01 Meeting resolution #8}.

8)Harmonizing and ensuring interoperability between SC36 standards:
This point raised the issue of how to, within the mandate of SC36/RG3, ensure that different parts of different SC36 standards are interoperable from a “CLFA” requirements perspective. Draft text will be produced addressing this issue. It was noted that the role here of SC36/RG3 may be analoguos to that of Sc36/WG1 with respect to “vocabulary”

9)TR on Implementation Guide for SC36 standards:
The group noted that technical understanding of the standards documents for the users/implementers are important. It was suggested that by the Chair that RG3 should address the horizontal issues, i.e. how the standards from WG 2, 3 and 4 work together (interoperability). One solution would be that there for each standard should be an annex giving advice on how the standard works and how to implement the standard. Perhaps a template for how to present this should be specified, and it should be explored what kind of formal description techniques should be used, if any. Should one provide a reference implementation?

A reference document assembling things that are going on elsewhere, nationally and in other committees, should be compiled for the next SC36 meeting. France and the US will contribute to this document. RG3 will furthermore ask the SC36 NBLOs and their experts for contributions by January 30^th. Should such a new project be accepted by SC36, the Chair noted that a reasonably complete version of the TR should be finished for the 2005 March meeting of SC36.

10) Review of SC36/RG3 charter:
Document SC36 N458 “Second draft of SC36 CLFA Charter” needs to be finalized at the SC36 Montreal plenary so this is the last chance for NBLO inputs. The following other issues were noted during the review:
- the term “function” should be replaced by “human functioning”
- the acronym for the RG3 title will be abandoned.
It is also likely that the name of the RG3 will be modified to reflect decisions on the final version of the Charter for RG3 including adding a specific reference to “e-learning”. {See also SC36/RG3 2004-01 Meeting resolution #9}

11) Clarification of status and Re-establishment of RG3 at Sc36 Plenary:

SC36/RG3 in starting the review of its draft Charter decided to consult the JTC1 Directives as to what they state about the role and function of a “Rapporteur Group(RG)”. It was noted that according to JTC1 Directives the term "Rapporteur Group" and the acronym “RG” exists at the JTC1 level (see Directives 2.3.3.1) and that elsewhere the vehicle for "subgroup rapporteur group" activities is called “Other Working Groups” (OWG) [see Clause 2.5.2]. As such the Directives leave open the issue of the use of the term “Rapporteur Group” and acronym “RG” at the SC level. The SC36 Secretariat is asked to resolve this issue with the JTC1 Secretariat.

In any case SC36/RG3 agreed that it is operating under terms of Clause 2.5.2 of the JTC1 Directives {See also SC36/RG3 2004-01 Meeting resolution #4.}

Irrespective of the SC36 secretariat response to the issue of the use of “RG” at the SC level, the participants agreed that the re-establishment of the group has immediate priority to ensure continuity of current role and work, but in accordance with JTC1 Directives {See also SC36/RG 2004-01 Meeting resolution #5}

12)Other:
A number of ideas, Power Point, and similar type presentations have been made at various levels of detail, some identifying potential standardisation projects. The initial set of discussions on these presentations identified various needs for further analysis activities, potential additional projects, etc. A harmonised and integrated approach is needed as per Chair’s presentation on “guidance, implementation, use, paradigms, etc. and standards”.

Annex A: Revised Agenda for the 2004-01 SC36/RG3 Meeting:

Wednesday, 2004-01-07:

1)Welcome and acknowledgement of the agenda

2)Mode of operation for SC36/RG3

3)Review of documents

4)TR on culturally independent Value Domains

Thursday, 2004-01-08:

5)JTC1 Resolution #10 out of Seoul (Defining the term “Accomodation Information”):
- Prepare “Invitation to JTC1 SCs” – define problem area

6)Presentation and discussion of the SC35 input on Appendix E of the NP specification

7)Harmonizing and ensuring interoperability between SC36 standards

Friday, 2004-01-09:

8)TR on Implementation Guide for SC36 standards

9)Review of SC36/RG3 charter

10)Report for the next SC36 plenary

11)Resolutions

Annex B: List of documents tabled and used for SC36/RG3 work at its interim meeting in Montreal, January, 7´th to 9´th 2004.

SC36 N0657: Draft Agenda for 2004-01 SC36/RG3 Meeting

*SC/RG3 Nxxx:Seoul SC36/RG3 output titled; “Mode of Operation with the WGs within SC36 and collaboration with other Committees outside of SC36”

*SC36/RG3 Nxx1: “Mode of Operation with the WGs within and collaboration with other Committees outside of SC36; revision 1”

SC36 N0628:SC36/RG3 2003-09 Meeting Resolutions

JTC1 N7335:““Response to JTC1 Sophia resolution #39: Development of a Solution for the Unambiguous inter-working of codes for countries, languages and currencies”.

SC36 N0603:“Annex C (Normative) Codes Representing UN Member States and Their Official (or de facto) Languages" forming part of draft CD Document (version 2.0) of ISO/IEC 15944-5 Information technology - Business agreement semantic descriptive techniques - Part 5.

SC32 N1067 (ISO/IEC FDIS 5218):“Information Technology – Codes for the representation of human sexes”

SC36 N551 – N556 (ISO/IEC 11179): “Metadata Registries”

SC36 N558 (ISO/IEC DTR 20943-3): “Procedures for achieving metadata registry content consistency – Part 3: Value domains”

ISO 3166-1: “Codes for the representation of countries and their subdivisions – Part 1: Country Codes”

*SC36 Nyyyy:“Culturally independent value domains”; Power Point presentation

*SC36 Nyyyy-mod:“Culturally independent value domains”; Power Point presentation – modified to reflect a presentation given on flip-over at the meeting.

*SC36 Nyyyy-1:“Agenda-introduction”; Power Point presentation

*SC36 Nyyyy-2:“Harmonisation-and-interoperability”; Power Point presentation

*SC36 Nyyyy-3:“Implementation-guidelines”; Power Point presentation

*SC36 Nyyyy-4:“JTC1-resolution-10”; Power Point presentation

SC36 N458 :“Second draft of SC36 CLFA Charter”

SC36 N507: “SC36 and SC36/CLFA Overview”

*SC36 Nxxa/SC35 N538RR: “SC35 Proposal for Additional Criteria to be added to New Work Item Proposals (NPs)”

*SC36 Nxxb/SC35 Nxxx: “SC35 Proposal for Additional Criteria to be added to New Work Item Proposals (NPs) – Third revision”