Lexikos

The Need for a National Terminology Policy for South Africa

Mariëtta Alberts — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The language policy of a country has an influence on terminology development while it also determines the status of a language and the number of languages to be developed. Although several international and national terminology policies are readily available terminology work is currently not practised in South Africa according to a national terminology policy. The point of departure in terminology work is always conceptual. It is, therefore, important to work according to a subject-oriented terminography approach to harvest terminology. This approach is usually used simultaneously, and in conjunction with other approaches, such as language planning-oriented, translation-oriented, linguistic community-oriented, process-oriented, functional, and interactive approaches to develop the official languages of South Africa. The hegemony of English, however, hampers terminology development in the other official languages. There is a lack of coordination and cooperation among terminology agencies which lead to duplication of projects. The national terminology office, i.e. the Terminology Coordination Section (TCS), National Language Service, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, is the main beneficiary of a national terminology policy, and it should provide guidelines to other terminology agencies. Terminology policies and the need for a national terminology policy for South Africa are described and the eventual roadmap for the acceptance of the national terminology policy recently drafted, is supplied. A national terminology policy could assist in promoting the official, provincial, and local languages to become functional languages in all spheres of human activity.

Keywords: bilingual, copyright, language for special purposes, language planning-oriented terminography approach, linguistic community-oriented terminography approach, multilingual, policy, polythematic, register, subject-oriented terminography approach, term bank, terminography, terminology, translation-oriented terminography approach

Analyse des Termes Émergents en Épidémiologie Post-COVID-19

Ma'moun Alshtaiwi — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:45:34 +0000

Post-COVID-19 Review of Epidemiological Terms and Their Multidisciplinary Implications.

Several dictionaries and terminological databases have updated numerous definitions of terms related to the field of epidemiology following the COVID-19 crisis, for instance, definitions of terms like "pandemic," "epidemic," and "endemic." This adaptation is the result of a modification in the conceptual framework of the studied domain. Furthermore, it was necessary to coin lexemes expressing new concepts to engage society in addressing public health crises. These terms have become commonplace in response to emergencies, especially when the entire world closely follows epidemiology-related information. In this work, we analyze the existing terminology in epidemiology. The comprehensive results have revealed that epidemiological terminology has evolved across various specialized fields such as medicine, psychology, informatics, as well as law, security, and ancient diseases.

Keywords: epidemiology, terminology, concept, terminological system, post covid-19

LEXICC: The Design and Development of an Online Dictionary Writing System

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:45:47 +0000

The Instituto Caro y Cuervo (Caro and Cuervo Institute, ICC) was initially founded to complete Rufino José Cuervo's Diccionario de Construcción y Régimen (Dictionary of Construction and Usage) (Cuervo and ICC 1998) and has since expanded its mission to include the research and promotion of Colombia's linguistic heritage. Following this lexicographic tradition, the Institute developed the Diccionario de Colombianismos (Dictionary of Colombianisms, DiCol) (ICC 2018) using the proprietary software TshwaneLex, which facilitated the production of its print version but created a dependency on third-party resources, the need for a more flexible and independent solution became apparent. In response, this report introduces LEXICC — Diccionarios y Lenguajes (Dictionaries and Languages, LEXICC), a new, tailored online Dictionary Writing System (DWS) developed from scratch as an open-source solution. LEXICC empowers researchers, linguists, lexicographers, and anyone interested in dictionaries to create and manage their lexicographic resources separately. This paper details the design and development process of LEXICC, highlights its main functionalities, and discusses the electronic adaptation of the DiCol, now accessible online through LEXICC.

Keywords: electronic dictionaries, dictionary writing system, Colombian Spanish, Caro and Cuervo Institute, Dictionary of Colombianisms, non-functional requirements, functional requirements, demo dictionary, lexicographer director

An Analysis of Word-Formation Processes in Neologisms: A Case Study of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Aling Shi — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The swift progress of technology and globalization has given rise to an abundance of fresh ideas, sparking the frequent generation of neologisms. This study examines 932 newly added entries in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary from March 2020 to March 2024, investigating their word formation and features. Besides common processes like compounding, derivation, abbreviation, conversion, and blending, the OALD has included new words formed through less conventional methods like eponymy, onomatopoeia, and variation. Compound nouns mainly consist of two nouns in open compound words, while derivatives are often created through suffixation, and abbreviations are primarily uppercase initialisms. Most converted words are verbs, shifted from nouns. Among blends, the noun usually dominates, with the first word often clipped. And the study reveals diverse origins for new words, with loanwords playing a significant role, and a tendency towards simplicity emerges over time. Researching the word-formation of English neologisms is vital for lexicography because it helps ensure dictionaries accurately reflect language evolution. By understanding how neologisms are formed, lexicographers can effectively document and categorize emerging words, while also aiding vocabulary acquisition by highlighting patterns that enhance learning and usage.

Keywords: neologism, Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, quantitative method, qualitative method, word-formation, feature, inclusion

Reinhard R.K. Hartmann 1938 – 2024

Danie J. Prinsloo, Rufus H. Gouws — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Tribute to Reinhard R.K. Hartmann (1938 – 2024).

Du Ruiqing and Jiang Yajun. New Century Chinese–English Dictionary.

Yongwei Gao — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Review of Du Ruiqing and Jiang Yajun. New Century Chinese–English Dictionary.

Edward Finegan and Michael Adams. The Cambridge Handbook of the Dictionary.

Huahua Jiang, Hai Xu — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Review of Edward Finegan and Michael Adams. The Cambridge Handbook of the Dictionary.

Stephen Turton. Before the Word was Queer: Sexuality and the English Dictionary, 1600–1930.

Xiaotong Zhao — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Review of Stephen Turton. Before the Word was Queer: Sexuality and the English Dictionary, 1600–1930.