What is ISO 24499:2012?

ISO 24499:2012, also known as "Information and documentation - Transliteration of Cyrillic characters into Latin characters - Slavic and non-Slavic languages," is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Background and Purpose

The need for an internationally recognized standard for transliteration arose due to the increasing global communication and exchange of information. Transliteration is the process of converting characters from one script into another.

ISO 24499:2012 specifically focuses on the transliteration of Cyrillic characters into Latin characters. It aims to ensure consistent and accurate representation of Cyrillic texts in various languages, making it easier for people to understand and communicate across different scripts.

Key Features and Guidelines

This standard provides guidelines and rules for transliterating Cyrillic characters into Latin characters, including specific recommendations for both Slavic and non-Slavic languages. It covers various aspects such as letter-to-letter mapping, diacritical marks, handling of ambiguous cases, and optional elements.

ISO 24499:2012 emphasizes the importance of consistency and clarity in transliteration. It offers a systematic approach and establishes a set of principles to maintain consistency across different language pairs, ensuring that the same Cyrillic character is represented consistently in all Latin transliterations.

Benefits and Applications

ISO 24499:2012 has numerous benefits and applications in various fields. In the academic and research community, it facilitates the accurate citation and referencing of sources written in Cyrillic scripts. In the publishing and printing industry, it ensures the correct reproduction of Cyrillic texts in Latin-based publications.

Furthermore, this standard simplifies the transliteration process for individuals and organizations involved in language translation, international communication, and multilingual data exchange. It reduces ambiguity, improves accuracy, and enhances interoperability among different systems and platforms.