Introduction

In working to improve the standing and standards of the profession, practitioners in Australia (and elsewhere perhaps) are handicapped by the lack of a uniform and consistent set of terms with which we can describe the very complex thing we do. Not only does it mean that individuals are sometimes lost for words, it also means that two individuals who are enthusiastic ambassadors of T&I may yet be presenting images that seem quite different because of the idiosyncratic terminology used, but which are, at heart, the same message.

This glossary has been developed to remedy this problem. As far as possible the definitions reflect current usage within the industry, but only where that usage is well established and consistent between people; or consistent between sets of terms that seek to describe the whole of a particular thing or concept, in analytical terms. In other words in such a way that every part of the whole is accounted for, but where there is no overlap in the individual terms.

There are many colloquial usages amongst T&I practitioners that fail these tests and so this document attempts to tidy up these areas of overlap or contradiction and to propose stricter conventions of usage. (Especially words like “Domain”, “Profession”, “Community”, “Business”, “check”, “edit” etc) A number of references have been relied on to ensure that wheels are not being reinvented, and have found that even in the literature there are many terminological issues still open, and have in places taken the liberty of attempting closure. (The reader is especially advised to see “translation” before looking up anything else in this glossary).

A further point is that the established reference works that exist, still seem to be oriented more towards those teaching or theorising about T&I, rather than those purely concerned with making a living from it. So this terminology is presented also as another step towards the voice of the profession attaining the prominence it warrants.

Some of these terms are well established, and some are proposed names for things that have never been named before. Many of these comments include value judgements of the author and are noted as such. The immediate aim of the glossary is to define for the benefit of clients and subcontractors of CPT all the terms and concepts necessary for us to discuss and manage our work.

The ultimate aim is to compile a glossary of terms and concepts that are generally accepted and useful to all T&I practitioners as they discuss professional issues amongst themselves and explain their profession to the world. It is a work in progress and all helpful comments and valid criticisms are invited and will be incorporated into future updates of the glossary.
Please click here to open the glossary.