[en] Patterns

I've just come across the WAI patterns and I have to say I'm surprised that there are so many examples that don't use semantic HTML. For example the Link pattern uses a SPAN with a role of Link, and Listbox uses an unordered list and list items instead of SELECT/OPTION. Radio Group uses SVG instead of HTML Radio buttons.

With new patterns like Carousel or TreeView, I understand the need for...idiosyncratic HTML. But why encourage developers to use non-standard HTML elements to recreate functionality that already exists in HTML (LINK vs A, etc..)?

It just seems like a step backwards.