Structuring a Collection of Lexicographic Data for Different User and Usage Situations

Abstract

According to Fuertes-Olivera and Tarp (2020), lexicography is being currently shaped by three related tendencies: (a) the increasing use of disruptive technologies; (b) the necessity of finding new business models that can finance new lexicographic projects; and (c) the existence of growing competition from other information sources, e.g. Google. These trends have a particular influence on specialized dictionaries, defined here as tools that cover areas outside general cultural knowledge and its corresponding Language for General Purpose (LGP). This article adopts the view that lexicographers can deal with the abovementioned tendencies by preparing structured collec­tions of lexicographic data with details that can be easily converted into information and stored in DWSs that allow multiple combinations and possible retrievals. This option is suitable for the tenden­cies, as it uses adequate technologies, e.g. ways of profiling or individualizing searches, defends a new business model based on the creation of lexicographic data that can feed many dif­ferent tools, e.g. Write Assistant (Fuertes-Olivera and Tarp 2020), and offers better and more precise information than that of Google and other information tools. Keywords: lexicographic data, technology, specialized language, spe­cial­ized lexicography, e-lexicography