DataTerminology.comNEW
Also known as: skos:altLabel, Non-preferred Term
A non-preferred synonym, acronym, or variant name used to improve search and retrieval for a concept.
DESCRIPTION
Alternative labels capture commonly used names, abbreviations, and synonyms for concepts to improve discoverability. They should complement, not replace, the preferred label in user interfaces. Multilingual vocabularies maintain alternative labels per language. Proper governance avoids duplication and ensures clear mappings among terms. Hidden labels further handle misspellings or legacy names for indexing.
ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS
W3C
An alternative lexical label for a resource.
Defines role as non-preferred but valid lexical label.
NISO
Non-preferred terms provide entry points to the preferred term and support retrieval by synonyms and variants.
Emphasizes retrieval and cross-reference to preferred terms.
RELATED TERMS
Hidden Label Synonym Acronym Variant Name SKOS Concept Concept Scheme Labeling Thesaurus
COMPETING TERMS
RELATIONS
- Broader: Label
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
Semantic & Knowledge Modeling Metadata Management Data Governance
TARGET AUDIENCE
Data Steward Information Analyst Data Modeler BI Specialist Data Architect
EXTERNAL SOURCES
- Wikipedia - Simple Knowledge Organization System
- W3C - Primer on SKOS labeling properties
- W3C - Label properties specification
TOP QUESTIONS
What is an Alternative Label in SKOS?
It’s a non-preferred synonym, acronym, or variant that aids search and retrieval for a concept.
Category: Definition
How do Alternative Labels differ from Hidden Labels?
Alternative labels are valid synonyms; hidden labels are for indexing, like misspellings, and not shown to users.
Category: Misunderstanding
Why are Alternative Labels valuable?
They capture user language, improving discoverability while preserving a consistent display label via preferred labels.
Category: Relevancy
How many Alternative Labels can a concept have?
As needed, but governance should prevent redundancy and ensure clarity across languages.
Category: Requirements
What risks come with Alternative Labels?
Too many variants can clutter search results and confuse users if not curated.
Category: Risk
How are Alternative Labels managed?
Stewards document synonyms, review usage, and align labels with domain terminology and localization.
Category: Management
What’s an example of an Alternative Label?
For “Customer Lifetime Value,” alternatives include “CLV” and “LTV.”
Category: Example
Where to learn about Alternative Labels?
Consult SKOS Primer and Reference sections on labeling and thesaurus construction guidelines like NISO Z39.19.
Category: Overview
Do Alternative Labels appear in user interfaces?
They may appear in tooltips or mappings, but preferred labels are typically displayed as the main term.
Category: Opinion