How does DITA handle the management of culinary-specific terminology, abbreviations, and industry jargon?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

DITA provides a structured framework for effectively managing culinary-specific terminology, abbreviations, and industry jargon in food service documentation. This capability is crucial for ensuring that technical documents in the food service industry are clear, consistent, and comprehensible to both industry professionals and consumers.

Glossaries and Terminology Maps

One way DITA handles culinary-specific terminology is by allowing the creation of glossaries and terminology maps. Food service organizations can maintain a glossary that defines industry-specific terms, abbreviations, and jargon. These definitions can be referenced throughout documentation to ensure consistent usage and understanding. Additionally, DITA’s terminology maps enable organizations to associate specific terms with their definitions, making it easier to identify and manage culinary terminology across documents.

Reusable Terminology Components

DITA also allows for the creation of reusable terminology components. Food service organizations can define culinary terms, abbreviations, and industry jargon as reusable components. These components can be inserted into various documents as needed, promoting consistency and reducing the risk of errors or inconsistencies in terminology usage. When updates or changes are required, organizations can make these modifications centrally, ensuring that all instances of the terminology are updated consistently.

Example:

Here’s an example of how DITA can handle culinary-specific terminology using terminology maps and reusable components:


<terminology-map>
  <term>AP <definition>Abbreviation for "All-Purpose" flour.</definition></term>
  <term>Mirepoix<<definition>A mixture of diced onions, carrots, and celery used as a base for many dishes in French cuisine.</definition></term>
  <term>Creme Brulee<A classic dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with caramelized sugar.</definition></term>
</terminology-map>

<document>
  <title>French Cuisine Guide</title>
  <content>
    <p>In French cuisine, a common base for many dishes is theMirepoix**.

    <p>For baking, you can useAPflour as a versatile option.

    <p>If you have a sweet tooth, consider tryingCreme Bruleefor dessert.

  </content>

In this example, a DITA terminology map defines culinary terms like “Mirepoix,” “AP,” and “Creme Brulee” with their respective definitions. These terms are then used consistently in a DITA document about French cuisine, ensuring clarity and uniformity in the documentation.