Lexikos

Die gebruik van kleur in aanlyn woordeboeke, met oorweging van drie Afrikaanse woordeboeke

Maryna Adshade — 2025-09-30

The Use of Colour in Online Dictionaries, with Consideration of Three Afrikaans Dictionaries.

When considering the use of colour in some online Afrikaans dictionaries, it seems that colour is sometimes used ineffectively or haphazardly. In other cases, colours seem to be chosen mainly to align with the dictionary publisher's brand identity, rather than for practical purposes. This may result from abstract or vague metalexicographical suggestions that offer unsatisfactory guidance to practical lexicographers but could also be the result of South African, and Afrikaans, lexicography developing slower compared to the Western world. This article discusses the use of colour is in online dictionaries, considering a few suggestions from metalexicographical research. These suggestions are then supplemented with some guidelines derived from the field of information technology. The application of the theoretical possibilities, or lack thereof, is discussed with regard to the online version of the Handwoordeboek van die Afrikaans Taal, Aanlyn Woordeboek van die Afrikaans Taal and the Woordeboek van Afrikaans Vandag. These dictionaries show room for improvement in some aspects related to colour usage, with many exciting and more advanced possibilities still a future prospect for Afrikaans lexicography. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the use of colour is promising and may play a greater role in accessibility in the future.

Keywords: colour usage, online dictionaries, data accessibility, dictionary structures, article structure

Gender Bias in Computer-generated Thesauri: The Case of the Serbian Section of Kontekst.io, a Thesaurus of Synonyms and Semantically Related Terms

Dragana Čarapić — 2025-09-30

This paper studies gender bias in the computer-generated thesaurus Kontext.io, which is a search portal of synonyms and semantically related terms in Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian. Its Serbian section, which is the focus here, is based on a natural language processing (NLP) technique called word embeddings and a large internet corpus of Serbian. Gender bias is uncovered in four selected entries of this thesaurus: žena (woman), muškarac (man), d(j)evojka (young woman) and momak (young man). The analysis is first conducted semantically and the terms found are grouped into various semantic fields. After that, in the vein of the earlier studies of gender bias in traditional dictionaries and critical discourse analysis, an analysis of gender bias in the selected entries is provided. The results show that gender bias is ubiquitous and that it extends deeper than the earlier studies of gender bias in word embeddings have shown. We then give recommendations for improving this lexicographic product based on the results.

Keywords: gender bias, computer-generated thesaurus, word embeddings, Kontekst.io, Serbian, lexicography

'n Omvattender aanbod van semantiese data in aanlyn woordeboeke

Rufus H. Gouws — 2025-09-30

A More Comprehensive Presentation of Semantic Data in Online Dictionaries.

Meaning is the type of data most frequently needed by dictionary users. Due to space restrictions printed dictionaries can only offer a limited reflection of those aspects of meaning relevant to dictionary users. In determining features of meaning to be used in explanations of meaning, lexicographers are often guided by insights from older approaches in linguistics. Consequently, a strict division is often still maintained between linguistic and encyclopaedic data. Following an overview of some aspects of dictionary typology, dictionary structures and semantic data in printed dictionaries, this paper offers suggestions for the use of new types of dictionary structures to ensure a more comprehensive presentation of semantic data in online monolingual dictionaries. In the different subcomments on semantics in dictionary articles, provision is made for a horizontal ordering of different compartments to accommodate different types of data. More space is allocated to semantic data and also to data that fall beyond the scope of traditional dictionary entries. A stronger focus is placed on semantic relations and ways in which this type of semantic guidance could be accommodated in the comment on semantics. New types of integrated microstructures are suggested to make data accessible for target users, and suggestions are also made for the retrieval of information from dictionary-external sources. Semantic data should be presented as good and as comprehensive as possible in monolingual dictionaries.

Keywords: comment on semantics, compartments, delayed integrated microstructure, integrated microstructure, levels, multi-phased integrated microstructure, parallel integrated microstructure, paraphrase of meaning, search tunnel, search universe, semantic data, shaft structure, subcomment on semantics

Lexicographic Description of a Polysemous Word in a Learner's Dictionary Based on Its Lexical Prototype

Anton Karasev — 2025-09-30

This paper presents a practical application of the lexical prototype theory to lexicographic practice, proposing a draft model of a learner's dictionary entry for a polysemous word based on its lexical prototype. The lexical prototype (LP) is regarded as the semantic core of a polysemous word that functions at the level of the language system and is represented in actual speech by contextual meanings: the primary meaning (PM), metonymic, and metaphorical senses. Drafting a dictionary entry based on the LP requires reconstructing the LP through analysing the contextual meanings in relation to the PM in order to establish the minimal set of semantic features that are shared by all the senses of the word. The proposed method of lexicographic description of polysemous words offers a new perspective on polysemy as a linguistic phenomenon as well as moves away from the list-based method.

Keywords: lexicography, learner's dictionary, dictionary entry, polysemy, lexical prototype, primary meaning, metonymy, metaphor, cognitive linguistics

Exemplification of Sensitive Words for People with Disabilities in Monolingual English Learner's Dictionaries

Meimei Li — 2025-09-30

This paper investigates how sensitive words related to people with disabilities are exemplified in the "Big Five" monolingual English learner's dictionaries. The findings show that learner's dictionaries tend to be cautious in exemplifying such terms, with notable differences in the number of words exemplified and examples provided, as well as in the inclusion of additional examples. Despite these variations, the "Big Five" consistently offer phrase and sentence examples for sensitive words that serve both decoding and encoding purposes. The analysis reveals that the exemplification of sensitive words is influenced by factors such as part-of-speech, attitude labelling, and word currency. In general, adjectival forms of sensitive words are more likely to be exemplified than their nominal counterparts. Sensitive words that remain in current use tend to have higher exemplification rates than those considered old-fashioned. Neutral or euphemistic expressions are more frequently illustrated with examples than terms that carry negative connotations. This paper argues for broader exemplification of sensitive words, particularly neutral and euphemistic ones, and recommends optimising the presentation and the quality of additional examples.

Keywords: Big Five, exemplification, sensitive words, people with disabilities, inclusive language

Lexicography in Action: The Traversal from Coinage and Iconicity to Iconisation

Dorra Moalla Masmoudi — 2025-09-30

This paper seeks to connect Lexicography and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) by highlighting that the critical potential of Lexicography lies in the coinage of dictionary entries, which can function as semiotic acts that aim to rally the readers around the sign-maker's world view. To illustrate this, Got Israeled, a new entry in the crowdsourced Urban Dictionary added on 21 October 2023, is taken as an example. This entry is defined as the act of allowing someone to share something with you but this person claims the thing as his/her own and expels you. The entry has gone viral on social media and induced divergent attitudes. Its wide reach is due to its iconic nature and coinage during the war on Gaza. The entry has also been heavily resemiotised inside Urban Dictionary and its critical potential has gradually increased clearly recontextualizing the colonization of Palestine and the issue of Jewish settlements. 36 entries added between 21 October 2023 and 10 July 2024 are analyzed at three levels: coinage, iconicity and iconisation. The analysis draws upon Semiotic and Social Semiotic frameworks, which include DeSaussure's (1916) sign system, the Social Semiotic principle of motivated sign (Kress 1993), and Peirce's (1931) principles of hypo-iconicity. An SFL-based analysis exploiting subsystems within the ideational and interpersonal metafunctions is employed to explain the sign's 'iconisation' (Halliday and Matthiessen 2014, Kress and Van Leeuwen 1996/2021, Martin and White 2005). The investigation simultaneously highlights the critical potential of the sign and describes its transformation into a bonding icon rallying people around the writers' world view (Stenglin 2008, 2012).

Keywords: lexicography in action, coinage, iconicity, iconisation, Urban Dictionary, motivated sign

Reconceptualising Contemporary Lexicography: Emotional Intelligence and the Sustainable Lexicographic Modelling of the Modal Verb moći

Milena Mrdak-Mićović — 2025-09-30

The article examines the modal verb moći ("can"/"to be able to") as described in dictionaries currently in active use within the Montenegrin linguistic context, with particular emphasis on its significance in both digital and interpersonal communication in contemporary language. Building upon the foundational ideas of the lexicographic project Algemeen Nederlands Woordenboek (ANW) (Fuertes-Olivera 2024, following Colman 2016), the authors propose that the analysis and description of lexical units — described on the example of this particular modal verb — should be preceded by a comprehensive analysis in the domain of the emotional impact on interlocutors during conversation. This approach would influence the development of dictionaries that go beyond simply defining lexical units in various contexts. Instead, they would offer guidance on using words in emotionally calibrated communication to effectively convey and elicit the intended emotional impact within a given context. Thus, the aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of emotional intelligence and regulation through the example of the modal verb moći, and to offer recommendations for more effective management of emotional tone across diverse communicative environments. In this context, contemporary dictionaries would play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of communication, not only by offering precise semantic distinctions, but also by incorporating pragmatic and affective guidance, thereby ensuring that lexicography remains a sustainable and socially responsive discipline. This multidimensionality demands not only lexical precision but also contextual thoughtfulness and emotional attunement to achieve communicative effectiveness, making lexicography a sustainable discipline that remains at the heart of all linguistic research, where it rightfully belongs.

Keywords: lexicography, modal verbs, digital communication, dictionaries, emotional intelligence, discourse analysis

Aktuelle Aussprachewörterbücher des Deutschen und des Englischen im Vergleich

Krzysztof Nycz — 2025-10-03

Current Pronunciation Dictionaries of German and English Compared.

The following paper takes a critical and comparative look at a total of five dictionaries of pronunciation, two German and three English, which represent the current state of development in German and English phono-lexicography. The aim of this comparison is not only to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the individual works in the context of current lexicographical practice and, possibly, to provide ideas for future developments in presenting and conveying pronunciation information, but also to stimulate an interlingual discourse that could contribute to reflection on universal and language-specific challenges in phonetic standardisation and codification.

As a starting point, a general description of the dictionaries under investigation is provided, covering aspects such as their origins, target groups, as well as the construction and extent of the respective word lists and front matters. The actual analysis focuses on four main areas: the concept of what is to be considered and codified as standard pronunciation, the treatment of phono-stylistic and regional pronunciation variants, the graphic design of the dictionaries compared, and finally their multimedia extensions. The last section summarises the similarities and, above all, the differences between the dictionaries analysed in the above areas, and concludes with a brief subjective outlook on the future prospects of pronunciation dictionaries.

Keywords: pronunciation dictionary, pronunciation codification, German pronunciation, English pronunciation, standard pronunciation, phonetic standard, pronunciation variants, phono-lexicography, digital lexicography, electronic lexicography

Making Dictionary Content Accessible for People with Visual Impairments

Geraint Paul Rees — 2025-09-30

This article discusses the development and evaluation of EDictViz: a visually accessible dictionary website intended to meet the accessibility needs of people with visual impairments. It is argued that dictionary access is important not only because of the utilitarian role that dictionaries play in resolving language queries but also because of their potential to promote social inclusion. With reference to previous research, a summary is provided of the barriers to access typically faced by people with visual impairments when using dictionary websites. Following this, the way in which these problems have been addressed in the development and evaluation process of EDictViz thus far is discussed. An evaluation of a development version of EDictViz based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines is reported — it indicates that the latest prototype version of the tool is accessible. This suggests that the design decisions taken at the outset of the project were sound. Throughout this process the parallels between lexicography research, which is often concerned with providing efficient access to lexicographic data, and accessibility research in general are drawn. Plans for future experimental studies to evaluate EDictViz which directly involve people with visual impairments are set out. This development process demonstrates the potential for mutually beneficial collaboration between accessibility and lexicography researchers.

Keywords: accessibility, advertisements, education, language learning, language teaching, lexicography, lexicotainment, online dictionaries, WCAG, web development

One Name, Two Genres: The Curious Case of Polish Encyclopaedias of Law

Agnieszka Rzepkowska — 2025-09-30

This study examines Polish legal reference works through systematic analysis of publications labelled as encyclopaedias of law, addressing a gap in legal metalexicography. It sheds some light on the typology and characteristics of such volumes. The library survey revealed two types of Polish encyclopaedias of law: lexicographic works with alphabetically ordered entries presenting fragmented knowledge and monographic works structured in chapters that resemble academic textbooks. In fact, in the majority of cases, only opening a given work lets the user learn what type of publication it is. The study describes 78 works published between 1842 and 2023 in terms of the publication year, the fields of law covered, size, scope and target users. The analysis demonstrates that lexicographic encyclopaedias of law predominantly specialise in specific legal fields and employ various systematisation techniques including cross-referencing and thematic indices, while monographic encyclopaedias of law primarily address general Polish law for educational purposes. An important observation emerging from this study is that monographic publications, despite their textbook-like structure, share fundamental characteristics with lexicographic ones and serve complementary knowledge-organizing functions that demonstrate lexicographic adaptability to diverse user needs within specialized domains. The findings challenge traditional lexicographic classification systems by suggesting that functional criteria may be more significant than formal structural features in understanding specialised lexicographic practice.

Keywords: encyclopaedia of law, lexicography, Polish lexicography, legal language, LSP, special-purpose dictionary

Where Tools Are Few: Constructing Limited-Word Bilingual Learner's Dictionaries in a Low-Resourced Community in Malawi

Ian David Dicks — 2025-10-03

Many minority language communities in sub-Saharan Africa are required to navigate national education systems dominated by languages in which they are not largely proficient, and which they lack resources and tools to learn. When taken together with a low political will for resourcing minority languages, these become formidable barriers for learning and development (Matiki 2006: 244, 246; Prinsloo 2017: 20). Many minority languages are also not understood or spoken outside of these communities, and there are few resources to assist people to gain capacity in them, which results in large communication gaps. This paper examines how a team of non-professional Yawo lexicographers in Malawi worked to overcome these barriers in order to produce two limited-word bilingual learner's dictionaries (English–Ciyawo; Ciyawo–English) in book and smartphone application forms. More specifically, it explains how the team was trained, the development of a limited organic corpus from oral interviews as a method for supplementing an unbalanced corpus, and the importance of collaboration. The paper also articulates the linguistic and pedagogical theories that are foundational to the project, including that second-language learners develop second-language competence more efficiently through engaging with a curated headword list of high-frequency and high-relevance words (Nation 2022: 15-17; Bayetto 2018: 12).

Keywords: Ciyawo, poverty, bilingual, learner, dictionary, education, Malawi, Africa, Oxford, lexicography, smartphone, application, corpus, language

Noms de Marques dans la 9e Édition du Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française

Jan Holeš — 2025-09-30

Brand names in the 9th edition of the Dictionnaire de l'Académie française.

The article contains an analysis of the words labelled as brand names in the 9th edition of the Dictionnaire de l'Académie française. The sample contains 88 items, out of which most are based on proper names, usually family and place names, and common nouns referring to various features and functions of products. These words are formed using a range of morphosyntactic processes, such as composition, scholarly derivation and abbreviation. The sample includes frequent borrowings from various European languages and particularly from English. From the semantic point of view, these words mainly designate (a) devices, equipment, machines, tools, means of transport, food products, and games, and (b) materials, substances, pharmaceutical products, synthetic fibres, and plastics. A brief analysis comparing the presence of words originating from brand names in dictionaries Larousse and Le Robert reveals a certain instability of their lexicographic treatment.

Keywords: lexicalization, deonomastics, proper name, brand name, French language, Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, Larousse, Le Robert