Thesaurus and beyond : An advanced formula for linguistic engineering and information retrieval

This paper describes a proposal for a new approach to thesaurus design and construction that could have significant implications for change in the way multilingual thesauri are handled and integrated with each other. The formula presented here has its origin in the work of the German Thesaurus Committee and has had input from a number of scientists and practitioners in the field. The emphasis is on the various types of relationships found among concepts, notions and universals in languages. These relationships are analysed and refined beyond the approach taken in existing thesauri. This proposal is very much at the discussion stage and the author invites the assistance of interested readers through criticisms, discussion and dialogue. Applications of the proposed thesaurus are included and the major goal of this proposal is to provide the basis for improved design and integration of multilingual thesauri.