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Representing a subset of descriptions can be done using a simple reference set, as illustrated in the diagram below. However, other types of reference set types may be feasible if additional features are required, such as specifying which descriptions are preferred or acceptable (language reference set), ordering or prioritizing the descriptions (ordered reference set), annotating the description with some textual information (annotation reference set) or associating the descriptions to other components (association reference set). 

Using simple reference set of descriptions to specify terms for display.

Language Reference Set

While a simple type reference set can be used for defining a subset of descriptions, a language reference set  is designed to support indication of language and dialect preferences through the addition of the 'acceptability' attribute. This allows preferred and acceptable descriptions to be defined for any context of use, including within a particular country or region, within a clinical specialty or care setting, within an organization or department, or for a specific type of user. 

The table below shows an excerpt from two language reference sets, which are both distributed with the International release of SNOMED CT, i.e. the

Excerpt from the | United States of America English language reference set | and the | Great Britain English language reference set |, which are both distributed with the International release of SNOMED CT.

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Use of language reference sets to specify preferred and acceptable descriptions for specific contexts.

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