SBVR — SBVR Issue - Is a representation an actuality?

Is a representation an actuality?

Remarks often made by people involved in SBVR have indicated that a representation is an actuality – an objectification of the portrayal of a meaning by an expression. This same generalization applies to all of the specializations of ‘representation’ such as ‘designation’, ‘definition’ and ‘symbol’. But SBVR does not define ‘representation’ this way.

Recommendation: Change the definition of ‘representation’ from “portrayal of a meaning by an expression” to “actuality that an expression portrays a meaning”. Alternatively, add a General Concept paragraph under ‘representation’ that identifies ‘actuality’ as a more general concept.

Add a new fact type: "expression represents meaning". Make 'representation' an objectification of it.