rdf:text - clarification requested

Please could I get some clarification on the following line from the 
rdf:text document:

"""In addition to the RIF and OWL specifications, this datatype is 
expected to supersede RDF's plain literals with language tags, cf. [5], 
which is why this datatype has been added into the rdf: namespace. """

I don't recall any discussion on this notion of "supersede". What 
exactly is being proposed here? I have been regarding rdf:text as a 
formalization of RDF plain literals with language tags which simplifies 
OWL2/RIF's job but is not a change to RDF.  Clearly any change to the 
RDF specs would have implications for tools developers, especially if 
there are any round-tripping requirements, and wouldn't be something to 
make likely. I don't think it appropriate to hint at such a change in 
the rdf:text document without more details.

Apologies for not having noticed this line earlier.

Dave
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Received on Tuesday, 9 December 2008 15:59:55 UTC