Compilation and uses of the 'Yonsei Korean Synonyms Dictionary for Learners'

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to introduce the compilation process and characteristics of the new Yonsei Korean Synonyms Dictionary (YKSD), and to suggest how the synonym dictionary could be used in teaching language. Despite the importance of synonym distinction for language learners and teachers, thus far, synonym dictionaries have generally presented lists of synonyms, in a manner similar to a thesaurus. We would like to introduce the YKSD as a new model for a Korean thesaurus, and discuss what information is presented and how the information is illustrated. We provide the lexical information and description of synonyms based on an analysis of corpus rather than the intuition of dictionary compilers. The macrostructure and microstructure of the YKSD are specially designed to assist in distinguishing synonyms. The contents of this dictionary can be used in various ways in the course of developing teaching materials for language learners. In this study, we will look at the uses of this dictionary.