OASIS Open

OASIS Open Architecture for XML Authoring and Localization Reference Model (OAXAL) Technical Committee

OAXAL represents a method to exploit technical documentation assets by extending the usefulness of core XML-related standards in a comprehensive Open Standards based architecture.

The OAXAL allows system builders to create an integrated environment for document creation and localization, with reference to the following international standards:

• W3C ITS - an XML vocabulary that defines translatability rules for a given XMLdocument type.
• xml:tm - XML-based text memory, a LISA OSCAR standard for author and translation memory
• SRX - Segmentation Rules eXchange, an XML vocabulary defining segmentation rules for each language.
• GMX - Global Information Management Metrics Exchange, a LISA OSCAR standard for word and character count and metrics exchange.
• TMX - Translation Memory eXchange, a LISA OSCAR standard for exchanging translation memories.
• Unicode TR29 - primary Unicode standard defining word and sentence boundaries.
• Open Standard XML Vocabularies, including DITA, Docbook, XHTML, SVG, ODF, and others that may emerge as standards.
• XLIFF - XML Localization Interchange File Format, an OASIS standard for exchanging localization data

The OAXAL TC will deliver an Open Architecture for XML Authoring and Localization Reference Model. This Reference Model will demonstrate the integration of the standards listed above to present a complete automated package from authoring through translation; additional standards also may be added by the TC and the TC may elect not to include (or to make optional) any of the standards listed above that prove, upon review, not to be feasible or useful to integrate in its profiles. Authors are provided with a systematic way to identify and store all previously authored sentences.

Authors are encouraged to reuse existing sentences; such sentences are likely to have been previously translated, providing a means to increase translation matches. Once the Reference Model has been delivered, the TC may consider appropriate follow-up, including the creation of subcommittees, promotional material, liaisons or other promulgation of the TC's work, in order to promote the use of the OAXAL Reference Model in specific OAXAL implementations, in particular for vertical industries.

The TC will:

• deliver an Open Architecture for XML Authoring and Localization Reference Model and, if it elects, ancillary materials as described under "purpose" above.
• allow the commission of sub-committees to create specialized OAXAL models for vertical industries or technology families.
• propose usage and implementation guidelines for creating specializations of the reference model, whether as a formal methodology or as best practice guidelines.

Benefits of OAXAL

OAXAL offers the following benefits:

• Supports the DITA topic-oriented architecture
• Supports content reuse among different deliverables
• Supports author memory repository at the sentence level
• Encourages consistency in authoring
• Enhances the reuse of translation memory
• Reduces translation cost and time
• Automates a heretofore manual process

1. Reference Model: completion date in twenty-four months from formation of this TC.
2. Specializations of the Reference Model, possibly including reference architectures, for vertical industries, technology families or other special interest groups: optional.

RF on Limited Terms.

Anyone involved in the design, documentation or implementation of XML-based Structured Authoring Localization systems or components thereof, regardless of the standards body under which the work is sanctioned.

English.