Two ways to enable the disambiguation of data:

  • ensure that each identifier is namespaced so that it can't collide with any other
    • or
  • allow identifier names to collide, but also capture context to enable the consumer to disambiguate

RDF relies on the former approach, English the latter.

N.B. An advantage of the latter approach is that it allows the meaning of identifiers to deviate a little with context, whereas namespaces imply a rigid adherence to meaning (which may or may-not be practical).