SBVR_ — definition of 'prohibited symbol'

Doc: SBVR, dtc/06-08-05
Date: September 2006
Version: FTF Interim Specification
Chapter: 11.2.1.4
Related issues: none

Title: definition of 'prohibited symbol'
Source: Ed Barkmeyer, NIST, edbark@nist.gov

Description:

In clause 11.2.1.4, the definition of 'prohibited symbol' is:
"symbol that is declared unacceptable by its owning speech community
creating a vocabulary that excludes the symbol"

It is not clear how to parse this.

If it said just:
"symbol that is declared unacceptable by its owning speech community",
it would be clear what is meant. And there does not seem to be a need for SBVR to deal with how such a declaration is phrased. (It can clearly be formulated in SBVR by Referent (expression) 'is prohibited symbol'.)

If the intent is "symbol that is declared unacceptable by the fact that its owning speech community creates a vocabulary that excludes the symbol", that is simply wrong. Failing to include a symbol in the vocabulary does not prohibit its use, although it may implicitly deprecate it.

Recommendation:

In clause 11.2.1.4, in the definition of 'prohibited symbol', DELETE
"creating a vocabulary that excludes the symbol"

In clause 11.2.1.4, the definition of 'prohibited symbol' is:
"symbol that is declared unacceptable by its owning speech community
creating a vocabulary that excludes the symbol"

The clause "creating a vocabulary that excludes the symbol" should be removed.