Abstract
The Contrastive Definition in Afrikaans Explanatory Dictionaries This paper deals with the contrastive definition which is readily applied in Afrikaans standard explanatory dictionaries to define the female member of a gender opposition pair. The aim of the paper is to determine whether the contrastive definition is a full lexicographic definition, and whether its application is lexicographically justifiable. The terms gender opposition , gender opposition pairs , male and female members of gender opposition pairs and contrastive definition are explained at the outset. Arguments in favour of the application of the contrastive definition found in Afrikaans metalexicographic literature, are presented, followed by arguments opposing its use. The absence of an evaluation of the contrastive definition as lexicographic definition is confirmed, and such an evaluation, based on further research into the use of the contrastive definition in the Verklarende Handwoordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal , is consequently presented. The implications of the use of the contrastive definition in terms of current lexicographic conventions and the employment of a model in terms of which lexicographic definitions can be classified, lead to the conclusion that the contrastive definition cannot be regarded as a lexicographic definition. Comparable defining strategies in non-Afrikaans dictionaries are briefly highlighted, followed by proposals for the alternative treatment of (female members of) morphologically marked gender opposition pairs. Keywords: contrastive definition; cross reference; female members; gender opposition; gender opposition pairs; lexicographer; lexicographic treatment; lexicographic definition; male members; morphologically marked gender opposition pairs; reference; semantic and syntactic information; semantic explanation; standard explanatory dictionary
Highlights
Arguments in favour of the application of the contrastive definition found in Afrikaans metalexicographic literature, are presented, followed by arguments opposing its use
The implications of the use of the contrastive definition in terms of current lexicographic conventions and the employment of a model in terms of which lexicographic definitions can be classified, lead to the conclusion that the contrastive definition cannot be regarded as a lexicographic definition
",; glexicographic definition enumerates only the most important semantic feae of the defined lexical unit, which suffice to differentiate it from other tu~:." Gouws (1989: 159) ondersteun ook die aanwending van die teenstel~sdefinisie, byvoorb~eld by di~ lemma. onderwyseres: "Semanties is dit bev~rs~srdedingeendniddeieatawdneegfeienswiieeonnosrdbdIyee betekerusverklarmg by dIe lemma onderwyser gegee onderwyseres die onderskeidende semantiese waarde duidelik stel." Volgens Fouche (1990: 151) besit die morfologies gemerkte vroulike vorm 'n semantiese pluswaarde, naamlik die van vroulik, wat die aanwending van die teenstellingsdefinisie regverdig, aangesien die semantiese pluswaarde sodoende geekspliseer word
Summary
Hierdie artikel behandel die teenstellingsdefinisie, wat geredelik in Afrikaanse standaard verklarende woordeboeke gebruik word om die vroulike lid van 'n geslagsopposisiepaar te definieer. Hierdie maruer van definiering is rue uniek aan die Afrikaanse leksikografie rue: in ten minste twee Duitse verklarende woordeboeke word die vroulike lede van ·geslagsopposisiepare op soortgelyke wyse gedefinieer. Dit is dus duidelik dat dit ook by die semantiese verhouding van geslagsopposisie nie "'n leksikale item is wat in een of ander verhouding staan tot 'n ander leksikale item nie, maar eerder die een of ander polisemiese waarde van die betrokke leksikale item (poliseem) wat in 'n bepaalde verhouding staan tot die een of ander polisemiese waarde van 'n ander leksikale item" Vir die doel van hierdie artikel word geslagsopposisie dus as 'n semantiese verhouding van gedeeltelike komplementariteit met die semantiese kategorie [geslag] as diagnostiese kenmerk beskou
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