2.2 Association.  A second method of reducing the query set is by taking advantage of the association of different spellings as possible derivations one of the other. As a first illustration of this method consider data from a research problem in Wales. An association is like taking a broader net and assigning a standard to the various related names. Hence, this process also reduces multiple queries on multiple names to one.

The association is preliminary to a more general or a universal standard. Names in different places or cultures become part of a larger group. Data in a second example of association come from the names of localities. In this case the same name may have regional variants that may each be standard in its own context.

In the third example of association the same name is found in multiple cultures having language and various dialect variants.

The last example of association also comes from the names of localities. It is like the first in that the original name was derived from a Native American language.