Normative Labels in Slovene Dictionaries: Users’ and Lexicographers’ Perspectives

Abstract

AbstractThis paper discusses normative labels in the Dictionary of Standard Slovene from the point of view of users and lexicographers. Using a questionnaire distributed to the students of the University of Ljubljana, we wanted to learn how native speakers of Slovene interpret select normative labels. Additionally, five Slovene lexicographers were interviewed to get an insight into their views on labeling lemmata or their senses. The problems they encounter when assigning the labels were assessed in the interviews. The results of the student survey show that the presence of normative labels and their type has an effect on the users’ perceived degree of acceptability of the word in the standard language variety. Though still marking inadequate forms, the lexicographers interviewed strive to stay away from prescriptivism by trying to give reasons for a less adequate form. This is a new development that diverges from traditional, strongly prescriptive, attitude of Slovene linguists.