Cuban School Dictionaries for First-Language Learners: A Shared Experience

Abstract

One of the reasons why many publishing houses hesitate when allocating resources to the development of more advanced concepts of school dictionaries for first-language learners is the relatively poor sales and corresponding profits coming from this category of dictionaries. A major challenge is therefore how to change the situation, stimulate the use and sales of school dictionar­ies, and guarantee the necessary investment in product development. This contribution will take up this challenge. It will give no final answer, but it will discuss an experience with a Cuban school dictionary which has reached its target users in large numbers. The contribution will particularly look at the multi-fac­eted relation between lexicographers and users which characterises the Cuban dic­tionary project. The objective is not to copy this or any other experience but to inspire lexicogra­phers looking for alternative solutions to a problem which is affecting both school children and lexi­cographers in many countries and language communities.