GLOSSARY
Semantic fidelity
Semantic fidelity means, here, how reliably a summary, translation or reformulation preserves its source's essential meaning. This includes conditions, responsibilities, uncertainty and qualifications. Fluent wording can lose those elements and lead readers towards a different decision.
A condition must remain a condition
A customer says an earlier start would be possible if financing is secured. If the meeting note turns this into a confirmed start date, it changes the negotiating position. Sales, delivery planning and management may then reserve capacity or build binding expectations.
The economic consequence may therefore arise several steps later. Important statements should remain traceable to their original location. Negation, qualifications, figures, speakers and the distinction between a preference and a commitment deserve particular attention. The same standard applies when translating conversations across languages.
Compare the statements that affect action
Reviewers can compare the source and output using meaningful units of information. Assess omissions, unsupported additions and changed conditions. The term is an operational definition here, not a claim to one universal technical metric. Supporting evidence and visible uncertainty help identify cases requiring clarification. Elegant writing alone cannot establish that the original meaning has been preserved.