Showing papers in "Lexikos in 2012"
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TL;DR: A discussion on the relevance for the concept of dictionary in connection with the research registration in universities and two additional definitions of two different types of information tools are given.
Abstract: By comparing different definitions in dictionaries and in theoretical papers we know that lexicographers have very different opinions on the topic: "What is a dictionary?" We see too that lexicographic tools with the same type of content sometimes are called dictionary, sometimes encyclopedia, sometimes lexicon. In reality it is not a large problem if the information in a certain tool is of a high quality as to the intended function. Nevertheless I will give not one but two additional definitions of two different types of information tools. There will also be a discussion on the relevance for the concept of dictionary in connection with the research registration in universities.
38 citations
TL;DR: The status of replication as a scientific research method and justify its use in lexicography are presented and an attempt is made to pinpoint the micro- and macrostructural design features which make e-COBUILD6 a better learning tool than e-OALDCE7 and e-LDOCE5.
Abstract: The primary aim of the article is to compare the usefulness of paper and electronic versions of OALDCE7 (Wehmeier 2005) for language encoding, decoding and learning. It is explained why, in contrast to Dziemianko's (2010) findings concerning COBUILD6 (Sinclair 2008), but in keeping with her observations (Dziemianko 2011) with regard to LDOCE5 (Mayor 2009), the e-version of OALDCE7 proved to be no better for language reception, production and learning than the dictionary in book form. An attempt is made to pinpoint the micro- and macrostructural design features which make e-COBUILD6 a better learning tool than e-OALDCE7 and e-LDOCE5. Recommendations concerning further research into the significance of the medium (paper vs. electronic) in the process of dictionary use conclude the study. The secondary aim which the paper attempts to achieve is to present the status of replication as a scientific research method and justify its use in lexicography.
37 citations
TL;DR: The principles of an interactive and dynamic electronic dictionary aimed at text production and text reception guiding users in innovative ways, especially with respect to difficult, complicated or confusing issues are sketched.
Abstract: Electronic dictionaries should support dictionary users by giving them guidance in text production and text reception, alongside a user-definable offer of lexicographic data for cognitive purposes. In this article, we sketch the principles of an interactive and dynamic electronic dictionary aimed at text production and text reception guiding users in innovative ways, especially with respect to difficult, complicated or confusing issues. The lexicographer has to do a very careful analysis of the nature of the possible problems to suggest an optimal solution for a specific problem. We are of the opinion that there are numerous complex situations where users need more detailed support than currently available in e-dictionaries, enabling them to make valid and correct choices. For highly complex situations, we suggest guidance through a decision tree-like device. We assume that the solutions proposed here are not specific to one language only but can, after careful analysis, be applied to e-dictionaries in different languages across the world.
35 citations
TL;DR: It is shown how textual cohesion, achieved by the interaction of the various structural components, is promoted by the use of a system of cross-referencing and improved by an innovative approach towards a mediostructure-orientated lexicography.
Abstract: The mediostructure, that is the system of cross-referencing, is a lexicographic device that can be used to establish relations among different components of a dictionary. This paper focuses on different mediostructural strategies and their practical application in general synchronic dictionaries. The structure of dictionaries is discussed from a metalexicographic perspective in order to explain the system of cross-referencing. It is shown how textual cohesion, achieved by the interaction of the various structural components, is promoted by the use of a system of cross-referencing and improved by an innovative approach towards a mediostructure-orientated lexicography.
31 citations
TL;DR: This paper discusses the information needs in the information society and partly uses the function theory of lexicography to maintain the third opinion about the status of Lexicography.
Abstract: In the current debate about the status of lexicography there are at least three quite different opinions: (i) Lexicography does not have or need any kind of own theory but can use all relevant lin- guistic theories. (ii) Lexicography needs a special theory for the lexicographical praxis, but this discipline is still a part of linguistics. (iii) Lexicography is a genuine part of information science and can use theories and learn from practice in the information society, but it also needs special theories for lexicography. It is the third opinion we will maintain in this paper by discussing the information needs in the information society and partly using the function theory of lexicography.
30 citations
TL;DR: It will be argued that the problem of stem identification can only be solved in electronic dictionaries and the electronic dictionary isiZulu.net will be analysed in this regard.
Abstract: This article is a critical evaluation of lemmatisation strategies for nouns and verbs in isiZulu with specific attention to the problem of stem identification. The presumed target users of dictionaries compiled according to these lemmatisation strategies are non- mother tongue learners of isiZulu. The advantages versus disadvantages of lemmatising verbal and nominal stems, verbal and nominal stems without suffixes, and nominal words will be considered mainly in terms of the entire paradigm containing the verbal root -sebenz- from an isiZulu corpus. The conclusion reached is that word lemmatisation is preferred over both stem lemmatisation and lemmatisation of stems without suffixes. It will be argued that the problem of stem identification can only be solved in electronic dictionaries and the electronic dictionary isiZulu.net will be analysed in this regard.
29 citations
TL;DR: The concept of relevance in both disciplines is explored in more detail and it is shown, at the hand of examples from lexicographical tools, how the theoretical frameworks of both disciplines can complement one another.
Abstract: Until recently, lexicography and information science could rightly be considered two disciplines which had developed along parallel lines but with no or very little formal relation between them. Although the two disciplines developed in almost complete isolation from each other, during the last few years it has nevertheless become increasingly clear that they have a lot in common. This trend began within lexicography which started viewing lexicographical works as a special kind of tool designed to be consulted in order to obtain information. Upon this basis, it has been suggested that lexicography should be considered a part of information science and, hence, integrated into it (cf. e.g. Bergenholtz and Bothma 2012, Tarp 2009). It is evident that this integra- tion of two hitherto independent disciplines with long traditions of their own is not something to be solved overnight and neither can it be a unilateral process. This article will explore the concept of relevance in both disciplines in more detail and show, at the hand of examples from lexicographical tools, how the theoretical frameworks of both disci- plines can complement one another. This will be done within the framework of the function theory of lexicography, as discussed in the many works of Tarp and Bergenholtz (e.g. Bergenholtz and Tarp 2002) and others, and relevance theory in information science as defined by Saracevic (1975, 1996), Cosijn and Ingwersen (2000) and others.
25 citations
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TL;DR: In the field of lexicography, there are numerous differences when it comes to the interpretation of the term lexico-graph and differences in determining the nature, extent and scope of this term as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Within the field of lexicography there are numerous differences when it comes to the interpretation of the term lexicography and differences in determining the nature, extent and scope of this term. Although it is widely accepted that lexicography consist of two components, i.e. theoretical lexicography and the lexicographic practice, different definitions of lexicography give no unambiguous reflection of this distinction and of the individual components. This paper looks at some prevailing diverse uses and interpretations of the word lexicography. This is followed by proposals to ensure a transformative, unified and comprehensive interpretation of this concept.
20 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the question whether a lexicographical theory exists, is possible at all or even wanted, and show that a lexicoographical theory is not only possible but that various highly useful theories already exist.
Abstract: In the current transition from printed to electronic dictionaries the question has been raised whether we need a new theory of lexicography that may guide the conception and production of lexicographical e-tools or if we can use the theories already developed in the era of printed works. In order to answer this question the article first of all discusses the question whether a lexicographical theory exists, is possible at all or even wanted. It shows that the various approaches to this question are mainly due to the fact that the very concept of theory is widely disputed within lexicographical circles. In this respect, it briefly discusses the Anglo-Saxon academic tradition according to which science is only related to natural phenomena and where all other phenomena are referred to the spheres of art and craft, and it shows that this tradition is widely opposed by the traditions in other parts of the world. Upon this basis, the article shows that a lexicographical theory is not only possible but that various highly useful theories already exist. Finally, it claims that these theories, especially the ones that are not only focusing on the printed dictionary form, should not be rejected but should be further enhanced and improved in close interaction between lexicography and other consultation disciplines within the broad area of information science.
18 citations
TL;DR: The article will show the amazing variety of meanings addressed to the various terms in the theoretical literature and establish a new and strict typology that corresponds to the present practice of pedagogical lexicography.
Abstract: A frequent and well-known problem within lexicography is the use of various terms to denominate the same phenomenon as well as the use of the same term to denominate various, completely different phenomena. Such a non-systematic terminology may lead to confusion in the discipline and hamper its theoretical and practical development. The problem is especially severe within so-called pedagogical lexicography. A short panoramic review shows that especially the terms "pedagogical lexicography/dictionaries", "didactic lexicography/dictionaries", "school dictionaries" and "learners' dictionaries" are used with a lot of different meanings that vary from author to author, from country to country, from culture to culture. Although publishing houses could hardly be expected to use a strict terminology for their products, this should nevertheless be expected from theoretical lexicography. In order to overcome the present confusion, it is therefore urgent to establish a typology that can be used as reference by scholars dealing theoretically with the subfield of pedagogical lexicography. The article will first show the amazing variety of meanings addressed to the various terms in the theoretical literature. It will then approach the problem along two different lines: 1) establishing a clear definition of the terms "pedagogical", "didactic", "school" and "learner" in a lexicographical perspective, and 2) referring to the existing practice where the terms are frequently used in a much broader sense than in the theoretical literature. Based upon these considerations, a new and strict typology that corresponds to the present practice of pedagogical lexicography will be presented. Keywords: pedagogical lexicography; pedagogical dictionaries; learners' lexicography; learners' dictionaries; school dictionaries; children's dictionaries; desk dictionaries; college dictionaries; dictionaries for foreign-language learners; dictionaries for mother-tongue learners; dictionaries for learners of scientific disciplines
18 citations
TL;DR: Review of Hausmann, F.J., O. Reichmann, H.E. Wiegand en L. Zgusta: Ein internationales Handbuch zur Lexikographie / Dictionaries: An International Encyclopedia of Lexicography /Dictionnaires: Encyclopedie internationale de lexicographie.
Abstract: Review of Hausmann, F.J., O. Reichmann, H.E. Wiegand en L. Zgusta (Reds.). Worterbucher: Ein internationales Handbuch zur Lexikographie / Dictionaries: An International Encyclopedia of Lexicography / Dictionnaires: Encyclopedie internationale de lexicographie.
TL;DR: This micro-scale dissection of a single specimen demonstrates that the authors are still some way from being able to classify, let alone deal with, all the instances of imperfect interlingual correspondence that come their way.
Abstract: The lexicons of natural languages are not isomorphic. Reasons for the anisomorphism can be sought on three interrelated planes: language structure, extralinguistic reality, and conceptualisation. Simply put, the relevant differences may reside in the language, the world, the mind, or any combination of these. As a result, what goes under the name of lexicographic equivalence is a rather heterogeneous category. Growing awareness of this fact has resulted over the years in the creation of several tentative typologies of equivalence, one of which is presented below, together with a brief discussion of some strategies for dealing with imperfect equivalence. The remaining part of the article comprises a detailed analysis of a single problem encountered while preparing a new edition of a bilingual dictionary for Polish learners of English. The task at hand involved choosing a viable counterpart for a (Polish) semantic neologism from among a few (English) equivalence candidates. In the discussion, reference is made both to the metalexicographic categories introduced earlier and to such concepts developed by lexical (especially cognitive) semantics which may prove helpful in capturing the meaning differences between the source-language item and its competing target-language renditions. This micro-scale dissection of a single specimen demonstrates that we are still some way from being able to classify, let alone deal with, all the instances of imperfect interlingual correspondence that come our way. Persisting in the efforts to advance our understanding of the complex issues covered by the blanket term lexicographic equivalence thus seems crucial for improving the treatment of meaning in bilingual dictionaries.
TL;DR: This article argued that there are no "linguistic" barriers to the realisation of the Nhlapo-Alexander proposal and that the main obstacle is the lack of political will and appeals to the relevant academics and political/cultural leadership of the country to reconsider the issue against the background of a similar movement in the rest of the continent.
Abstract: The author believes that it is essential to revisit the issue of the harmonisation of the African languages of South Africa. He maintains that most people who have been writing on the subject locally have not understood the kernel of the original Nhlapo-Alexander proposal and restates the economic and political arguments for it. Because there are no "linguistic" barriers to the realisation of this proposal, he concludes that the main obstacle is the lack of political will and appeals to the relevant academics and political/cultural leadership of the country to reconsider the issue against the background of a similar movement in the rest of the continent.
TL;DR: The selection of Spanish equivalents in a particular dictionary project: the Diccionario Ingles-Espanol de Contabilidad, one of the Accounting dictionaries, is elaborated on.
Abstract: Interest in specialized lexicography has been propelled both by the development of LSP communication in academic circles and by the consolidation of function-based approaches to lexicography that have identified the existence of several user types, e.g., experts, semi-experts and interested laypersons, and use situations, typically cognitive-oriented and communicative-oriented (Bergenholtz and Tarp, 2003, 2004). This paper follows suit and elaborates on the selection of Spanish equivalents in a particular dictionary project: the Diccionario Ingles-Espanol de Contabilidad, one of the Accounting dictionaries. This dictionary aims to satisfy the needs of translators (primary user group), accountants and financial experts (secondary user group), as well as students of accountancy and translation, journalists, and interested laypersons (tertiary user group). It ad- dresses the issue as a lexicographical problem and makes comments on the decisions taken by elaborating on three lexicographical principles that take into consideration the nature of lexicogra- phy, the technical options the Internet offers, and the defining characteristics of specialized dis- course: relevance, proscription and recreation.
TL;DR: The oldest Bantu dictionary hitherto known is explored, that is the Vocabularium Latinum, Hispanicum, e Congense, handed down to us through a manuscript from 1652 by the Flemish Capuchin Joris van Gheel, missionary in the Kongo.
Abstract: In this article, the oldest Bantu dictionary hitherto known is explored, that is the Vocabularium Latinum, Hispanicum, e Congense , handed down to us through a manuscript from 1652 by the Flemish Capuchin Joris van Gheel, missionary in the Kongo (present-day north-western Angola and the southern part of the Lower Congo Province of the DRC). The manuscript was heavily reworked by the Belgian Jesuits Joseph van Wing and Constant Penders, and published in 1928. Both works are currently being digitized, linked and added to an interlingual and multimedia database that revolves around Kikongo and the early history of the Kongo kingdom. In Sections 1 and 2 the origins of Bantu lexicography in general and of Kikongo metalexicography in particular are revisited. Sections 3 and 4 are devoted to a study of Van Gheel's manuscript and an analysis of Van Wing and Penders' rework. In Sections 5 and 6 translation equivalence and lexicographical structure in both dictionaries are scrutinized and compared. In Section 7, finally, all the material is brought together. Keywords: kikongo, kongo kingdom, congo, angola, capuchins, jesuits, bantu, latin, spanish, french, flemish, authorship, compilation strategy, language, dialect, orthography, base letters, diacritics, phonetics, proto-bantu, translation equivalence, meaning extensions, paraphrases, loanwords, misnamings, retranslations, lexicographical structure, manuscript, database
TL;DR: Broad guidelines are given to improve dictionary accessibility and enhance user-friendliness through improved access structures to improve dictionaries with Afrikaans and English as treated language pair.
Abstract: The access structure is the primary guide structure in the central texts of any standard translation dictionary. The metalexicographical term "guide structures" refers to the set of structures that provides a framework within which the accessibility and availability of information types in the dictionary can be evaluated. The access structure is, however, not a singular entity. It includes certain substructures, of which the outer and inner access structures are the most important. In this article the status quo with regard to access structures in standard translation dictionaries with Afrikaans and English as treated language pair will be evaluated. Suggestions will then be made as to possible improvements. In the discussion of the outer access structure it is suggested that the rapid outer access structure be improved by using an elementary thumb index and that the current system of running heads be retained. For the standard outer access structure a better planned and motivated system of ordering homonyms, as well as a more consistent initial alphabetical ordering is suggested. The focus in the discussion of the inner access structure will be on improving the rapid inner access structure by an innovative use of typographical and non-typographical structural markers. Better systems of ordering information subtypes within information categories are suggested as an innovation in the standard inner access structure. Broad guidelines are therefore given to improve dictionary accessibility and enhance user-friendliness through improved access structures. Keywords: access structure; dictionary; dictionary accessibility; homonymy; inner access structure; inner search path; lexicography; metalexicography; outer access structure; outer search path; polysemy; rapid inner access structure; rapid outer access structure; standard inner access structure; standard outer access structure; standard translation dictionary; structural marker; user-friendliness
TL;DR: By providing external access to corpus data which was developed primarily for internal purposes, the INL has acquired a much broader experience in corpus-building than before, which is essential for new, internal dictionary projects.
Abstract: The use of text corpora has increased considerably in the past few years, not only in the field of lexicography but also in computational linguistics and language technology. Consequently, corpus data and expertise developed by lexicographical institutions have gained a broader scope of application. In the European context this has led to a revised view of corpus design. In line with these developments, the Institute for Dutch Lexicology (INL) has since 1994 been providing external access to steadily improving corpora via Internet. In August 1996, the 38 Million Words Corpus was available for consultation by the international research community. The present paper reports on the characteristics of this corpus (design, text classification, linguistic annotation) and on its use, both in dictionary projects and in linguistic research. In spite of limitations with respect to corpus design, the INL corpora accessible via Internet have proved to meet external needs. By providing these facilities, the INL has acquired a much broader experience in corpus-building than before, which is essential for new, internal dictionary projects. Giving external access to corpus data which was developed primarily for internal purposes, may be profitable for all parties involved. Keywords: large electronic dutch text corpus, corpus design, text classification, topic, publication medium, linguistic annotation, on-line access via internet, corpus users
TL;DR: Hierdie artikel bepaal die teoretiese en praktiese kriteria vir 'n Afrikaanse aanleerderwoordeboek, dit behels 'n deeglike materiaalversameling wat voldoende detail bevat en sistematies aangebied word.
Abstract: Hierdie artikel bepaal die teoretiese en praktiese kriteria vir 'n Afrikaanse aanleerderwoordeboek. Die teikengebruikers van hierdie aanleerderwoordeboek is swart tersiere studente, vir wie Afrikaans 'n tweede of derde taal is. So 'n woordeboek moet op die teikengebruikers se behoeftes afgestem wees, d.w.s. 'n geskikte medium vir sowel dekodering as enkodering wees. Die woordeboek moet hoofsaaklik gebaseer wees op werklike taalgebruik. Dit behels 'n deeglike materiaalversameling wat voldoende detail bevat en sistematies aangebied word. Die geselekteerde gegewens moet op sodanige wyse verwerk word dat dit maklik ontsluit en verstaan kan word. Die woordeboek moet 'n toeligtingsgedeelte bevat. Die seleksie van makrostruktuurelemente moet linguisties gemotiveer wees. Die seleksie van spesifieke makrostruktuurelemente moet op grond van die teikengebruikers se behoeftes en die leksikograaf se insigte met betrekking tot interlinguale aspekte gebaseer wees. Wat die mikrostruktuur betref, moet voldoende uitspraakleiding, grammatiese leiding, semantiese leiding en gebruiksleiding verskaf word.
TL;DR: The role of part of speech, word frequency, and word position are examined in guiding the decisions of Polish learners of English as to which component word of a multi-word expression to look up in the dictionary.
Abstract: Multi-word lexical units, such as compounds and idioms, are often problematic for lexicographers. Dictionaries are traditionally organized around single orthographic words, and so the question arises of where to place such complex lexical units. The user-friendly answer would be to include them primarily under the word which users are most likely to look up. But how do we know which words are likely to be looked up? The present study addresses this question by examining the roles of part of speech, word frequency, and word position in guiding the decisions of Polish learners of English as to which component word of a multi-word expression to look up in the dictionary. The degree of word frequency is found to be the strongest predictor, with less frequent words having a significantly greater chance of being selected for consultation. Then there is an independent part of speech-related preference for nouns, with adjectives being second, followed by verbs in third place. Words belonging to the remaining syntactic categories (adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, determiners, and pronouns) are hardly looked up at all. However, word placement within the multi-word expression does not seem to matter much. This study has implications for dictionary makers in considering how to list multi-word-expressions.
TL;DR: Theoretiebedingte Worterbuch-formprobleme: will the Theorie die neuen Entwicklungen berucksichtigen, muss sie erweitert werden and wird dadurch zunehmend komplexer.
Abstract: Der empirische Gegenstandsbereich der Worterbuchforschung verandert sich u.a. dadurch, dass neue Worterbucher erscheinen. Dabei ist ein Trend zu erkennen, dass zunehmend mehr neue Elemente der Worterbuchform im Vorspann, im Worterverzeichnis und im Nachspann auftreten. Die Worterbuchform wird dadurch komplexer. Fur die Theorie der Worterbuchform ergeben sich dadurch theoriebedingte Worterbuchformprobleme: Will die Theorie die neuen Entwicklungen berucksichtigen, muss sie erweitert werden und wird dadurch zunehmend komplexer. Wird sie erweitert, erkennt man im Licht der Theorie die Starken und Schwachen der neuen Formelemente; das fuhrt zur Worterbuchkritik. Besonders die Schwachen fuhren zu worterbuchformbedingten Benutzerproblemen. In diesem ersten Teil des Beitrags werden theoriebedingte Artikelformprobleme behandelt, die sich durch die Berucksichtigung eines bisher nicht untersuchten Artikeltyps ergeben, namlich den Typ des komplexen Worterbuchartikels, in dem zwei oder mehr formgleiche Worter lexikographisch bearbeitet werden, die zu zwei oder mehr Wortklassen gehoren. Die theoriebedingten Artikelformprobleme bestehen darin, dass es keine Strukturkonzeption fur Artikel dieses Typs, keine systematische Terminologie, keine Typologie und z.T. keine Darstellungsmittel und –methoden gibt. Die Probleme werden dadurch gelost, dass die Theorie der Worterbuchform um die fehlenden Elemente systematisch erweitert und die Heuristik erganzt wird.
TL;DR: A number of factors are recommended that are taken into account when planning future school dictionaries, including the grade and age of the target user and the importance of natural language in the paraphrases of meaning.
Abstract: Acknowledging the ambiguity of terms like school dictionary, children's dictionary, first language, mother-tongue this article motivates a specific use of school dictionary, first language and learner and focuses on various problems in these dictionaries. The typical functions of these dictionaries are discussed with reference to the lexicographic needs of first-language learners. Looking at a few existing dictionaries, suggestions are made for the inclusion and presentation of certain data types. The importance of the use of natural language in the paraphrases of meaning is discussed. It is emphasised that lexicographers should consult teachers and curriculum experts when planning school dictionaries and that the grade and age of the target user needs to be taken into account. The aim of this article is not to give final solutions to the questions raised but merely to recommend that a number of factors — or variables — are taken into account when planning future school dictionaries. In this respect, a number of questions are formulated that need to be answered when planning the compilation of school dictionaries.
TL;DR: A lexicographical approach to the compilation of multilingual concept literacy glossaries which may play a very important role in supporting students at institutions of higher education is proposed.
Abstract: This article proposes a lexicographical approach to the compilation of multilingual concept literacy glossaries which may play a very important role in supporting students at institutions of higher education. In order to support concept literacy, especially for students for whom English is not the native language, a number of universities in South Africa are compiling multilingual glossaries through which the use of languages other than English may be employed as auxiliary media. Terminologies in languages other than English are developed by translating English terms or coining new terms in these languages to exploit the native language competence of most students. The glossary project at the University of Cape Town (UCT) which was conceived under the auspices of the Multilingualism Education Project (MEP) is discussed. It is shown that the UCT glossaries are compiled using methods consistent with those employed in modern lexicography or proffered in lexicographical theory. The lexicographical function theory is specifically used to account for the glossaries and their production. It is suggested that modern lexicography can provide useful guidance for the production of glossaries, given that the earliest glossaries constitute the humble beginnings of lexicography.
TL;DR: The role of examples in dictionary articles, different types of example sentences as well as the criteria for example sentences in bilingual school dictionaries in order to ensure that the final product is natural, typical, informative, intelligible and of use to the user.
Abstract: Dictionaries are written for a specific user group and the content and presentation must therefore be directed/aimed at that specific target group. In the past dictionaries were often compiled without the lexicographers really taking time and researching the intended users and their specific needs. School dictionaries especially were often compiled after very little or no attention being paid to the users and their needs. This article will look at the role of example sentences in dictionary articles, different types of example sentences as well as the criteria for example sentences in bilingual school dictionaries in order to ensure that the final product is natural, typical, informative, intelligible and of use to the user.
TL;DR: It was found that some participants failed to display (extended) knowledge of the PEDs they were using, and several factors that might have hampered dictionary lookup success as well as factors that may have promoted Dictionary lookup success were revealed.
Abstract: This article reports on the utilisation of pocket electronic dictionaries (PEDs) for writing by learners of English at a Thai university. It aims to enrich the study of dictionary use behaviour by investigating, through the use of combined research methods, exactly what happens when students use PEDs for production. The participants in this study included 13 students who were chosen from a group of 1211 students enrolled in a foundation English course at a university in Thailand. Data were collected using a think-aloud protocol, observation, and retrospective interviews as data collection methods. The first eight participants were asked to read a passage in Thai. Using dictionaries in their PEDs, they were asked to write a summary in English (the Water I experiment). The remaining five participants followed the same procedure, but after the summary task was completed, they were asked to review their summaries using the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary , and the English–English dictionary in their PEDs (the Water II experiment). The experimental study revealed how the participants tackled the reading passage and wrote summaries, the problems they encountered, and the strategies they used to solve these problems. A graphic representation of the PED consultation process was also proposed. The use of the English–English dictionary in their PEDs helped some participants review their English summaries. It was found that some participants failed to display (extended) knowledge of the PEDs they were using. The investigations revealed several factors that may have hampered dictionary lookup success as well as factors that may have promoted dictionary lookup success.
TL;DR: The planning of especially the macrostructure in respect of one lexical category which has been unsatisfactorily treated in Sepedi dictionaries, namely the adjective, will be attempted.
Abstract: One of the great challenges to compiling better dictionaries for the African languages is to develop sound strategies and procedures for planning the structure of the dictionaries. In this regard all the structural components of a dictionary, including the macrostructure, microstructure, mediostructure and access structure, come into play. Most dictionaries for African languages, including Sepedi dictionaries, fail even at this level. In this article the planning of especially the macrostructure in respect of one lexical category which has been unsatisfactorily treated in Sepedi dictionaries, namely the adjective, will be attempted. Secondly the lemmatisation of adjectives in six Sepedi dictionaries will be critically evaluated. This will be done with the emphasis on various metalexicographical aspects.
TL;DR: The different meanings attached to the term terminology are given and points of difference between terminology and terminography are described and the role of consultation in terminology work is stressed.
Abstract: This article deals with terminology and terminography in South Africa. It gives the different meanings attached to the term terminology and describes points of difference between terminology and terminography. It focuses on the dimensions of terminology, namely the cognitive, linguistic and communicative dimension. Since terminologists need to consult with subject specialists, linguists, language users and mother-tongue speakers during different phases of the terminography process, the role of consultation in terminology work is stressed. Various aspects such as cultural differences that need to be taken care of, are discussed. The current South African terminology and terminography situation regarding terminology work undertaken by the National Language Service is examined. Emphasis is placed on the database system being used and the National Termbank. Terminology training also receives attention. Keywords: terminology, terminography, terminologist, terminographer, cognitive dimension, linguistic dimension, communicative dimension, technical dictionary, subject specialist, subject field, subject-oriented, concept-oriented, language-oriented, standardisation, primary term formation, secondary term formation, loan words, borrowing, transliteration, neologism, extension of meaning, total embedding, transference
TL;DR: A Danish corpus, holding 40 million words of general language from the period 1983-92, was designed and compiled by DSL in order to serve as a major source for a new six volume dictionary of contemporary Danish.
Abstract: A Danish corpus, holding 40 million words of general language from the period 1983-92, was designed and compiled by DSL (The Society for Danish Language and Literature) in order to serve as a major source for a new six volume dictionary of contemporary Danish. The corpus includes written and spoken, private and professional, general and specialised language, and each of the 44 000 text samples is annotated with formalized information on these and other features of linguistic and sociological importance. The resulting multidimensional text type specification is useful for the extraction of (virtual or real) subcorpora and for statistical analyses. Specialized software has been developed for flexible interactive concordancing and analysis. The corpus is currently only accessible at the site of DSL; nevertheless, several scholars and students have been using it in their research. The experience gained by the staff of DSL is being reused in co-operative language engineering projects within the European Union, and in 1998 a publicly available corpus will be released as an outcome of the PAROLE project.
TL;DR: In this paper, a quadrilingual explanatory special field dictionary of chemistry is presented, which provides linguistic and encyclopedic information in English, Afrikaans and two or more of the African languages.
Abstract: Developing human potential and actively promoting science and technology are among the priorities of the present South African government. Significant progress in these areas can only be made if relevant education and training are provided timeously. Surveys conducted by overseas as well as local researchers indicate that mother-tongue education is one of the measures to improve learning. While mother-tongue education at secondary and tertiary level is at present not provided to speakers of African languages, compromise solutions have to be offered, such as multilingual explanatory special-field dictionaries. By providing linguistic and encyclopedic information in English, Afrikaans and two or more of the African languages the concepts of the subject-field are made accessible via the language(s) of wider communication as well as via the mother tongue of the student. Although there are many difficulties and potential pitfalls awaiting terminographers and special-field experts who attempt a project of this nature, substantial preliminary work that has already been done with regard to a quadrilingual explanatory dictionary of chemistry indicated that this ideal is not out of reach. The compilers believe that successful completion of the project, as well as favourable results, will verify the hypotheses that served as points of departure for the project.
TL;DR: This article gave a brief discussion of the problems experienced in trying to determine exactly what a lexicographer is, and discussed criteria relevant to identifying a specific participant in lexicographic activities.
Abstract: Lexicographers define words but still lack a clear and unambiguous understanding of the word lexicographer. This paper gives a brief discussion of the problems experienced in trying to determine exactly what a lexicographer is. The distinction between theoretical and practical lexicographers is quite clear but within both these categories there are grey areas where it is not so clear whether a specific participant in lexicographic activities qualifies to be called a lexicographer. The lack of formal professional lexicographic qualifications impedes an unambiguous understanding of the word. The emergence of lexicography as an independent discipline compels lexicographers to take a closer look at criteria relevant to identifying someone as being a lexicographer.