LCC_ — Language identifiers for alpha-3 codes should be subclasses of language identifier

Currently, all alpha-3 language identifiers are subclasses of alpha-3 code, but are not direct subclasses of language identifier. This may be misleading for users of the ontology.

In addition, some of the definitions for kinds of language identifiers should be more tightly constrained, for example, an individual language identifier should be equivalent to something that identifies an individual language, rather than simply a subclass of that restriction.

Language identifiers for alpha-3 codes should be subclasses of language identifier

The resolution to this issue affects clause 8.3, Ontology: Language Representation, and depends on the resolution to issues LCC-14 (LCC-17).

The modification to the model includes (1) making IndividualLanguageIdentifier, MacrolanguageIdentifier, CollectiveLanguageCode, and SpecialLanguageCode direct children of LanguageIdentifier, and (2) changing the restrictions on each of these identifiers to state that the classes are equivalent to identifying the appropriate classes of languages (e.g., making IndividualLanguageIdentifier equivalent to the restriction on the identifies property such that an individual language identifier identifies an individual language).

The changes affect Figure 8.9 Definition of Individual and Macrolanguage Identifiers and Figure 8.10 Definitions of Identifiers for Language Groups and Special Purpose Concepts, on page 30, as well as Table 8-3, on pages 32-34.