Defining and querying POI Synonyms using HERE RDF data
How to identify POI synonym names in RDF data (multiple names for same POI in same language)
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Symptoms / Triggers
You may need this article if you encounter one or more of the following:
You need to validate POI name consistency during data testing
A POI appears to have multiple names in the same language
You want to distinguish between:
+ true synonyms (same POI, multiple names)
+ vs. different POIs with identical names
You are working with RDF schema data and cannot find a dedicated synonym field
You need to analyse POI names on country level at scale
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Quick Answer
HERE RDF data does not provide a dedicated synonym attribute for POIs.
Instead, synonyms must be identified by finding multiple name entries (same language) for the same POI_ID.
This requires running an SQL query on RDF tables and post-processing the results.
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SQL Query (RDF Data Example)
Example for South Africa (ZAF) and English (ENG):
SQL
SELECT
rpns.POI_ID,
rpa.ISO_COUNTRY_CODE,
rpns.NAME_ID,
rpn.NAME,
rpn.LANGUAGE_CODE
FROM RDF_POI_ADDRESS rpa
JOIN RDF_POI_NAMES rpns
ON rpa.POI_ID = rpns.POI_ID
JOIN RDF_POI_NAME rpn
ON rpns.NAME_ID = rpn.NAME_ID
WHERE rpa.ISO_COUNTRY_CODE = 'ZAF'
AND rpn.LANGUAGE_CODE = 'ENG'
ORDER BY rpns.POI_ID;
Weniger anzeigen
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How to Identify Synonyms in the Result
Step 1: Export Results
Export the SQL output to Microsoft Excel (or similar tool).
Step 2: Identify duplicate POI_ID entries
Apply an Advanced Filter or Conditional Formatting:
Highlight duplicate values
Focus on POI_ID + LANGUAGE_CODE
Step 3: Interpret the Results
| | |
| --- | --- |
| Scenario | Interpretation |
| Same NAME appears across different POI_IDs | Different POIs sharing a common name (NOT synonyms) |
| Multiple NAME entries for the same POI_ID and same LANGUAGE_CODE | ✅ Synonyms |
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Example
POI name “ABSA” appears multiple times →
➜ These are different POIs, not synonyms
POI_ID 99842344 has 3 name entries (ENG) →
➜ These are synonyms for the same POI
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Important Notes
Synonyms are defined as:
➜ More than one name for the same POI in the same language
Do not confuse with:
+ Exonyms (separate attribute exists)
+ Duplicate POIs (different POI_IDs)
Queries should always be run at country scale for meaningful validation
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Applies To
HERE RDF Data Model
POI data validation / QA workflows
* SQL-based data analysis environments
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Tags
POI synonyms, RDF POI names, multiple names same POI, duplicate POI names, POI name validation, RDF SQL query, POI_ID duplicates, HERE data QA, POI testing, language consistency, ENG names RDF