Adaptive Hypermedia and User-Oriented Data for Online Dictionaries: A Case Study on an English Dictionary of Finance for Indonesian Students

Abstract

The increase in the quantity of online dictionaries does not seem to go together with an increase in the quality of these dictionaries. This may be due to a lack of focus on dictionary users and the insufficient incorporation of the latest technological features. This article tries to formulate some proposals for future online dictionaries. The discussion starts from an explanation of the user profile, user situation, and user needs. This will then become the basis to review the lexicographical solutions offered by current online dictionaries, and to create proposals for future dictionaries. The discussion includes considerations for using adaptive hypermedia and user-oriented data to create a dictionary which can better meet the various needs of the dictionary users. This article concentrates on an English Dictionary of Finance for Indonesian students, but the principles proposed may also be applicable to other types of online dictionaries.