Abstract
In previous studies on learner lexicography, design features of both the content and presentation of learner's dictionaries are the two major research concerns. The quality assessment of learner's dictionaries also covers the two dimensions. Terms used for evaluating them are respectively usability or availability for the former and findability or accessibility for the latter. However, the lexicographical construction of learnability, which takes into account the users' reference and learning needs, remains virtually unexplored either theoretically or practically. Compared to the features of dictionary design mentioned above, as the design philosophy of learner lexicography is worth more serious consideration. The present paper aims at exploring the lexicographical notion of by way of introducing the neglected legacy of Robert Morrison in his compilation of Wuche Yunfu (五车韵府) (1819), which is characterized by a high degree of learnability illustrated in the dictionary entries. Morrison's pioneering efforts may help with the conceptual clarification of in compiling learner's dictionaries, bilingual ones in particular. Moreover, it is hoped that the recognition of Morrison's lexicographical practice will be beneficial to the future production of better Chinese–English dictionaries for non-native Chinese learners.
Highlights
Compared to the large number of English–Chinese (E–C) dictionaries meant for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, the number of Chinese–English (C–E) dictionaries available in China for Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) learners is rather small, which contrasts remarkably with the increasing popularity of CFL learning worldwide
Yang (2015) conducted a questionnaire survey of CFL learners in two Chinese universities, and the results showed a predominant preference for dictionaries published outside China with regard to the dictionaries used by CFL learners
The compilation of Wuche Yunfu was based on Morrison's experience of using Chinese dictionaries and his practice of compiling the first volume of A Dictionary of the Chinese Language (1815) which was later found to be difficult for CFL learners
Summary
Compared to the large number of English–Chinese (E–C) dictionaries meant for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, the number of Chinese–English (C–E) dictionaries available in China for Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) learners is rather small, which contrasts remarkably with the increasing popularity of CFL learning worldwide. This article is intended to draw more attention to the term "learnability", a lexicographical construct that has long been overshadowed by the high frequency of some similar terms used in the lexicographical literature, such as "usability", "practicality" or "availability" The latter ones are used for designing or judging dictionaries in general while the former is meant for learner's dictionaries. The lexicographical success of Morrison's Wuche Yunfu can be illustrated typically by one specific entry article, compared with its counterparts in some contemporary CFL learner's dictionaries, either monolingual or bilingual. The lexicographical information presented in this article is oversimplified with only a few English equivalents and some short verbal illustrations By this way of explaining the headword 精, the related cultural connotation of this Chinese character is lost, which does not help with CFL learners' understanding of Chinese farming culture in general. The original meaning of the character 精 is the combination of the meaning of 米 and 青, referring to "selecting first-class rice" in agriculture
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