In message
<[log in to unmask]
v.uk> on Mon, 3 Jul 2006, "Myers,Andy (Environmental Services)"
<[log in to unmask]> wrote
>Re: Lead Caulking
>
>Example Precedents for widespread usage in various contexts (non-
>American):
>
>In use by archaeologist in print re: excavated material http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/
>catalogue/adsdata/cbaresrep/pdf/040/04005003.pdf
>
>In use by building historian with specific example relating to a wrought iron
>fence in masonry http://www.donbarker.ltd.uk/Techno_File/wrought_iron.ht
>m
>
>In use in recent architectural engineering specifications (Tyne Tunnel)
>http://www.twpta.gov.uk/static/tunnelbrochure.htm
>
>In use in recent conservation demonstrations re: maintaining traditional
>vernaculauildings http://www.ruralvoices.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=611&d=
>pnd&h=pndh&f=pnd f&dateformat=%25o-%25B-%25Y
Since in a thesaurus we should start by defining concepts and then
choosing an appropriate name for them, it seem to me that the issue here
is whether we wish to distinguish between the following concepts:
A. Gap-filling material by method of application
1. A solid material, possibly fibrous (e.g. oakum, lead wool or
strips), which is hammered or pressed into a gap.
2. A liquid which is poured into a gap and which then sets into a
solid (e.g. molten lead, cement or epoxy resin).
B. Gap-filling material by purpose
1. Material used to fix or join two parts, such as metal and stone
2. Material used to fill a gap, to prevent leakage, e.g. in ship's
planks, window frames or tunnel linings.
If it is desirable to distinguish these four concepts, then we have to
find distinctive terms for each of them. Some of the terms that have
been suggested might apply to two or more of these. In my non-expert
experience, "caulking" implies A.1 and B.2, but if within the context of
a specific thesaurus it is given a wider meaning, then that's no problem
so long as its definition is made clear in a scope note.
In a controlled vocabulary the meanings of terms are often artificially
restricted to a narrower scope than they have in ordinary speech; they
are just labels for the underlying concepts, and it is these concepts
that we have to agree on.
Leonard Will
--
Willpower Information (Partners: Dr Leonard D Will, Sheena E Will)
Information Management Consultants Tel: +44 (0)20 8372 0092
27 Calshot Way, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 7BQ, UK. Fax: +44 (0)870 051 7276
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