Monolingual and bilingual learners' dictionaries

R Gouws

doi:10.4314/lex.v14i1.51424

Abstract

When deciding on the best learners' dictionary for a specific user and a specific situation of usage one often has to make a choice between a monolingual and a bilingual learners' dictionary. This article discusses some aspects of the user-driven approach so prevalent in modernday lexicographic thought, focuses broadly on dictionary typology and takes a closer look at monolingual and bilingual learners' dictionaries. Some problems users experience when learning a new language, e.g. language distortion and problems related to the phenomenon of false friends, especially in closely related languages, are mentioned. It is indicated that a typological hybrid dictionary could assist certain users. The importance of an unambiguous identification of the relevant lexicographic functions is emphasised and the notions of function condensation and function merging are introduced. It is shown that the typological choice should be determined by a function-based approach to dictionary usage. Keywords: bilingual dictionary, false friends, function condensation, function merging, genuine purpose, learners' dictionary, lexicographic functions, monolingual dictionary, text production, text reception, typological hybrid, typology.

Highlights

There is nothing as practical as a good theory
In metalexicography theoretical deliberations should always endeavour to enhance the quality of the lexicographic practice
According to Wiegand, the genuine purpose of a dictionary is that it should be used for the retrieval of information from lexicographic data regarding those linguistic expressions included for treatment in the specific dictionary

Summary

Introduction

There is nothing as practical as a good theory. Theoretical lexicography may never be regarded as theory merely for the sake of theory. As practical tools dictionaries should be devised in such a way that a well-identified user can retrieve the kind of information needed for a specific purpose. This implies that dictionaries should be seen as utility instruments, to be used by the ordinary member of a speech community. According to Wiegand, the genuine purpose of a dictionary is that it should be used for the retrieval of information from lexicographic data regarding those linguistic expressions included for treatment in the specific dictionary. A successful dictionary consultation procedure depends on the way in which the needed linguistic information can be retrieved. In many cases this can only be possible if the dictionary does not give a full realisation of a given function but allows it in a condensed way

Dictionary typology

Monolingual or bilingual

What choices should the user have?

Some problems in this regard

Typological variations

Typology versus functions