The CPS dictionary: A prescriptive terminological work?

Abstract

The Canadian Parks Service (CPS) dictionary is a specialized work which was conceived to provide standardized preferred terms for and definitions of the artifacts found in the CPS collections, in order to (i) help CPS collections managers to identify, classify, and catalogue artifacts, (ii) allow them to exchange information in a clear and unambiguous fashion, and (iii) facilitate the automation and centralization of information from the various CPS sites. Because of its goal of standardization, the CPS dictionary calls for a prescriptive approach rather than a descriptive one. Whereas in descriptive terminology standards are set by usage, in prescriptive terminology, standards are artificially imposed in an attempt to eliminate ambiguity and to ensure transparency of communication. In order to achieve this ideal of clear and unambiguous communication, prescriptive terminology attempts to (i) delimit concepts with precision, (ii) establish coherent conceptual networks, and (iii) eliminate ambiguous term-concept relations. In order to achieve these prescriptive goals, terminologists must adhere to fundamental principles and prescribed methods. Analysis of the CPS methodology as well as its records reveal that, despite its goal of standardization, the CPS dictionary does not fully comply with the tenets of prescriptive terminology, and consequently, does not fully achieve the ideal of clear and transparent communication. Deviations from these tenets can be attributed to both the nebulous nature of the field of artifacts and certain practices imposed by client needs on terminologists involved in the dictionary.