Formatting languages

• Current languages describe text SYNTAX, not LOGIC:

  e.g. Entities such as

  \title{ ... } in LaTeX

  <title> ... </title> in HTML

  are part of text syntax, i.e. formatting.

  Their interpretation as logical or conceptual entities implies a naive semiotic view of form-function isomorphism.

• Does format pertain to
  1. the level of STRUCTURE?

     Semantic networks? LaTeX-like macros? ...

  2. the level of LAYOUT?

     LaTeX? HTML?

  3. the level of APPEARANCE?

     TeX, Metafont, dvi, PostScript, ...?