Terminology is always normative by nature and directs usage toward a preferred term or even excludes certain terms; for example, in a terminological dictionary. In fact, having several terms for the same concept in technical communication is not an advantage, signifying creativity as in common usage, but instead creates potential misunderstandings among experts and even more so among non-experts that are not familiar with the term and want unambiguous confirmation of the correct term. When a term is established, several synonymous terms may be in use, and the one that conforms to several terminological principles is most likely to prevail, as is shown on the basis of firefighting terminology.
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