International Journal of Lexicography - Advance Access

Search and you will Find. From Stand-Alone Lexicographic Tools to User Driven Task and Problem-Oriented Multifunctional Leximats

Verlinde, S., Leroyer, P., Binon, J. — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:36:08 PST

Regardless of their name (dictionary, glossary, encyclopaedia, or even ‘leximat’, in the case of a new generation of online, semi-automated lexicographic tools), subject-field, purpose, or medium (paper or cyber), lexicographic reference works should be regarded as functional information tools that are solely designed to cater to the information needs of their users in different usage situations and that consequently help them solve specific communication (reading, writing, translation) or knowledge problems (acquiring new knowledge or verifying existing knowledge, learning a language or a subject field). In this article, we briefly outline the evolution of lexicographic reference works from stand-alone to multifunctional lexicographic tools, and we describe the theoretical principles and innovative functionalities of a new task and problem-oriented lexical database, the Base Lexicale du Français. In line with Tarp (2006), a tool that should be truly regarded as a ‘leximat’.

Bibliometrics in Lexicography

de Schryver, G.-M. — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:01:47 PST

Bibliometric methods may be used to study the impact of a field, the impact of certain trends and researchers within that field, and of course the impact of particular research articles. This is no different for the field of lexicography, and the output of both metalexicographers and dictionary makers alike is increasingly being measured and quantified. Analysing such data enables one (a) to track the growing and waning popularity of certain lexicographic sub-fields, (b) to pinpoint the new directions heralded by specific lexicographic papers or by new types of dictionaries, and (c) to map the lexicographic schools of thought that have formed around some of the pioneering or most productive scholars. In this article, bibliometrics in lexicography are investigated by taking the International Journal of Lexicography as the centre piece. In the first half of the article, various bibliometric tools relevant to lexicography are introduced, and in the second half these tools are used to show that lexicography has truly become an independent discipline. In the process, comparisons are also made with two other lexicographic journals (Dictionaries and Lexikos), as well as with two journals from other disciplines (Linguistics and Applied Linguistics).

Sven Tarp. Lexicography in the Borderland between Knowledge and Non-Knowledge. General Lexicographical Theory with Particular Focus on Learner's Lexicography.

Piotrowski, T. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:27:54 PST

Fanny Meunier and Sylviane Granger (eds.). Phraseology in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching.

Kaszubski, P. — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:41:17 PDT

What is a Dictionary? a View from Chomskyan Linguistics

ten Hacken, P. — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:15:55 PDT

If lexicography is to be considered a scientific activity, the relationship between dictionaries and language has to be clarified. Here Chomskyan linguistics is taken as a background for doing so. Chomskyan linguistics is a research programme that determines a framework for the study of language in which language as a mental concept is the central notion. Chomskyan linguistics also introduces two other concepts of language, but none of them can be taken as what is described by a dictionary. Instead, dictionaries can be taken as tools for solving problems. Users consult them to answer questions they have about vocabulary. Such a view of dictionaries is compatible with most definitions of dictionaries in theoretical discussions of lexicography. The solution of problems is not in the dictionary, but constructed by the user on the basis of information found in the dictionary. Therefore, in comparison to earlier work which emphasizes completeness and accuracy as evaluation criteria for dictionaries, this view of the dictionary tends to emphasize the optimal presentation of information as a central criterion of quality.

A Functional Discourse Grammar Account of Set Nouns in Dutch and its Implications for Lexicography

Keizer, E., Honselaar, W. — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:20:36 PDT

This paper¹ examines the semantic and syntactic behavior of Dutch S-nouns (e.g. echtpaar, ‘married couple’, tweetal ‘twosome, couple’ and stel ‘couple’), a particular subset of what are generally known as ‘set’ (or ‘collection’) nouns. Using the theoretical framework of Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG; Hengeveld and Mackenzie 2008), it more particularly addresses the question which information needs to be provided in the lexicon, as well as in other components of the grammar model, to ensure that only semantically and syntactically well-formed constructions are produced. After a brief introduction to the relevant aspects of FDG, the paper focuses on two specific issues: the (restrictions on) possible combinations of S-nouns and (adjectival) modifiers and the distinctive semantic, syntactic and distributional behavior of Dutch S-nouns (in particular with regard to number concord). It is concluded that for the theory of FDG to be as restrictive as required and as flexible as possible, constraining (subclassifying) information is required in the lexical entry of all nominals; on the basis of the evidence provided in this paper, it is felt that there is no need to include matching information on adjectival lexemes. Finally, it is argued that the detailed description and analysis of S-nouns presented in this paper should form the basis of their treatment in Dutch dictionaries.

A. P. Cowie (ed.). The Oxford History of English Lexicography.

Adamska-Salaciak, A. — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:33:37 PDT

English Collocation Studies: The OSTI report

Williams, G. — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 08:11:38 PDT

Harrap's Business Dictionary English French - Dictionnaire Francais Anglais

Fuertes-Olivera, P. A., Arribas-Bano, A. — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 08:11:37 PDT

Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal

Hiligsmann, P. — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 08:11:35 PDT