Designing Online Dictionaries of Economics: Two Opposing Views

Pedro A Fuertes-Olivera

doi:10.7146/hjlcb.v27i52.25133

Abstract

This paper supports the argument that a dictionary of Economics in the broad sense of the word is any information tool that contains structured data - e.g. dictionary articles, outer texts, hyperlinks, etc. – which can be used for retrieving information on economic concepts, economic language, economic instructions, and/or economic operations. Some of these are on the Internet and are accessed by individuals for concrete consultation in one or more situations. This definition is based on the tenets of the Function Theory of Lexicography, the theoretical construction initiated at the Aarhus School of Business in the 1990s which has since worked on the theory and practice of dictionaries (Bergenholtz/Tarp 2002, 2003, 2004; Tarp 2008; Fuertes-Olivera/Tarp 2014). This has resulted in a specific approach to dictionary making, which is identifi ed in this chapter as a lexicography-based approach. On the other hand, some scholars espouse a different view, which is basically rooted in the theories and methods of (Applied) Linguistics (Rundell 2012a) and identified here as a linguistics-based approach. Both views are discussed and illustrated in relation to three specific issues: (a) the concept of a dictionary of Economics; (b) the sources of lexicographic data used in different dictionaries of Economics; (c) access to data and data presentation in several online dictionaries of Economics.

Highlights

Lexicographical works concerning economics are a motley set of objects. (...) The distinction between these kinds of works in practice is rather fuzzy. (Besomi 2011: 4)During the discussions taking place at the International Symposium on Dictionaries of Economics, arranged by the Centre for Lexicography at the Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences on November 13-15, 2013, participants agreed on four main ideas
This paper has addressed the design of online dictionaries of Economics supported by two opposing views: the linguistics-based and the lexicographic-based approaches
The linguistics-based view is mainly championed in British lexicographical circles, which defend the design of online dictionaries of Economics with the same theoretical and practical arguments that they typically use when presenting English dictionaries for learners of English

Summary

Introduction

Lexicographical works concerning economics (exclusively or not) are a motley set of objects. (...) The distinction between these kinds of works in practice is rather fuzzy. (Besomi 2011: 4). Instead of relying on social criteria for compiling a specific corpus, advocates of the lexicography-based approach support the use of any text that offers relevant data They are not interested in patterns, but in data that are directly connected with the function(s), the subject field and the level of competence of the intended user (Tarp 2008; Fuertes-Olivera/Nielsen 2011 and 2012). The theory and practice involved in the compilation of these dictionaries (see Fuertes-Olivera / Tarp 2014, for a detailed description) shows convincingly that the design of specialised dictionaries, e.g. online dictionaries of Economics, must rely on specialised texts selected and consulted in terms of the concept of lexicographic relevance previously referred to This method of operation is supported by several findings, of which three are sufficient for this chapter: 1. I will discuss these in turn, with examples taken from online dictionaries of Economics

Linguistics-based Approach

Conclusion

Dictionaries

Findings

Other literature