Re: Using the terms "normative" and "informative" in EO documents

Normative and informative are not really jargon.  They are pretty 
common terms is standards and regualtions, and WCAG is a 
standard.

I think a sidbar is the ticket.  Something in the Overview of 
WCAG 2.0 would work.  The sidbar would be like this:

"In the world of standards there are two types of language: 
normative and informative.  Normative language states rules tha 
must be followed to comply with the standard.  Informative 
language gives more readable descriptions, makes suggestions and 
is generally more friendly.  The key is that normative language 
is the standard and informative language is not.  So you must 
meet normative requirements.  Informative content just helps you 
do that.

All nomative languages originates in the WCAG 2.0 Guidelines. 
The Understanding, Techniques and How to Meet documents are 
almost entirely informative, except where they quote normative 
language from the Guidelines."

Wayne

Received on Tuesday, 25 November 2008 18:23:02 UTC