Macrostructure
The macrostructure: refers to the structure and approach of terminology databases. The macrostructure is related to the semantic relations between terms that allow for their categorisation. As previously seen, terminology databases can be based on two different approaches according to their target group and its needs: concept-oriented (onomasiological) and term-oriented (semasiological).
- The concept-oriented model is often used when creating a TDB for translation purposes. Translators search terms to find out their precise meanings in particular contexts in order to identify the established equivalent term in the target language. The key to a term in a concept-oriented terminology database is its semantic field and related concepts. Some examples are: entry number or notation, specialisation area, synonym, etc.
- However, when searching for terms, translators also use the term-oriented approach according to which a form is taken as starting point for acquiring its meaning and finding an equivalent for it in the other language. This is the common approach of dictionaries and encyclopaedias, where several concepts can appear in the same entry. A TDB follwing the term-oriented approach is designed according to a system of concepts (notation) often used by terminologists.