Interoperability of XLIFF 2.0 Glossary Module and TBX-Basic

This article describes a bidirectional mapping between the XLIFF 2.0 Glossary Module and the TermBase eXchange format (TBX), in particular the TBX-Basic dialect. This mapping is slated to be endorsed by the OASIS XLIFF TC as a Committee Note, thus providing the canonical model for interoperability between the two complementary standards. The article recounts the history of the TBX format’s evolution from SGML to XML, beginning with its development through TEI to ISO, LISA, ETSI, and TerminOrgs. It presents the core structure of the TBX term entry and explains how the XLIFF Glossary entry easily fits inside this model, facilitating interchange. The structure and data categories of the two models are discussed, followed by a mapping demonstrating the logical conversion path between the two approaches. The role played by the ISOcat Data Category Registry is also introduced. Appendices provide a more detailed view of overall structures and data category assignments.