Whatever the concepts or semantics of a modelling language for the ODP Architecture, it will be expressed in some syntax, which may include linear text or graphical conventions. It is assumed that any suitable language will have a grammar defining the valid set of symbols and well-formed linguistic constructs of the language. The following concepts provide a common framework for relating the syntax of any language used for the ODP Architecture to the interpretation concepts.
7.1 Term: A linguistic construct which may be used to refer to an entity.
The reference may be to any kind of entity including a model of an entity or another linguistic construct.
7.2 Sentence: A linguistic construct containing one or more terms and predicates; a sentence may be used to express a proposition about the entities to which the terms refer.
A predicate in a sentence may be considered to refer to a relationship between the entities referred to by the terms linked.