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

Digital Lexicography in ESP: Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading Comprehension in Students of Commerce Degree

Beatriz Chaves-Yuste, Manuel Márquez-Cruz — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:26:51 +0000

This study investigates the impact of Sketch Engine and Lexonomy on vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension in English for Specific Purposes (ESP), focusing on international commerce among undergraduate students. Conducted over thirteen weeks, the research involved 90 first-year Commerce students from a public university in Madrid. A pre-experimental design was implemented, dividing participants into control and experimental groups. The control group used traditional analogue dictionaries, while the experimental group utilized digital tools to compile specialized dictionaries. Performance was assessed through pre- and post-intervention reading comprehension tests and a questionnaire assessed the use of lexicographical resources by ESP undergraduate students. On the one hand, results revealed that the use of these two lexicographical digital tools implies significant improvements regarding vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension. On the other hand, digital tools emerged as the preferred resources, emphasizing translation, contextual meaning, and voice search functionalities, though challenges such as navigation difficulties and interpreting phonetic transcriptions were noted. The findings underscore the pedagogical potential of digital lexicography to enhance ESP instruction, foster autonomous learning, and equip students with essential professional skills. This research provides a foundation for integrating innovative methodologies into higher education, contributing to more effective and equitable teaching practices.

Keywords: Sketch Engine, Lexonomy, didactic lexicography, English for Specific Purposes, reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition

A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of AI Chatbots and Dictionary Apps for Lexical Tasks and Retention

Yuzhen Chen — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:14:25 +0000

This study compared an AI chatbot (Kimi) and a bilingual dictionary app (NCD) in supporting vocabulary tasks among Chinese junior English majors. Sixty-six participants used either Kimi or NCD to complete both receptive and productive lexical tasks. Questionnaires gathered user feedback on tool use, and a surprise retention test assessed long-term vocabulary retention one week later. Results showed that Kimi significantly outperformed NCD in vocabulary comprehension, collocation production, and productive knowledge retention. Additionally, Kimi demonstrated more consistent performance than NCD across all test items, highlighting its reliability. The study underscores the potential of AI chatbots to address language-related queries and enhance vocabulary acquisition. It also advocates for aligning technological advancements with pedagogical goals to optimize language learning tools and create a sustainable learning environment.

Keywords: AI chatbot, dictionary app, vocabulary reception, collocation production, retention

Avoiding Information Overload — Ways of Exemplifying in Bilingual e-Dictionaries Depending on the Systematicity of the Linguistic Data

Alfonso Rascón Caballero — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:15:46 +0000

Although monolingual dictionaries have received more academic attention, bilingual dictionaries are essential for learners at all levels. Today's electronic dictionaries for language learning have no space limitations, so the information they offer can be exhaustive. This brings with it the risk of information overload — users may feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to find the information they are looking for. E-dictionary editors must therefore balance comprehensiveness with usability and decide which linguistic data to present. Since examples are the entry component that takes up the most space, several types of examples are considered, and the systematicity of the information to be presented is the criterion for adopting specific lexicographic solutions. Research shows that shorter examples, such as infinitive phrases, support generalisable patterns, while full sentences and supplementary examples highlight more complex, unpredictable uses. This article proposes an innovative type of example, the translated cotext item, to help users infer usage rules. Ultimately, the study emphasises that dictionaries should help learners to intuitively distinguish predictable structures from language-specific expressions, thereby enhancing their ability to use the target language idiomatically.

Keywords: information overload, usability, electronic bilingual lexicography, entry components, dictionary example, language systematicity

Krajšavar — An Algorithm for Automatic Recognition of Abbreviations in English Dictionary Entries Compiled in a Dictionary of Abbreviations

Mojca Kompara Lukančič — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:28:47 +0000

This article describes the use of Krajšavar — an algorithm for the automatic recognition of abbreviations in compiling English dictionary entries for a dictionary of abbreviations (Slovar krajšav), published in 2025 and financed by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS). Together with the Slovenian dictionary of abbreviations (Slovenski slovar krajšav) published in 2023, the mentioned dictionary adopts a pioneering approach to the compilation of dictionaries in Slovenia as these are the first contemporary dictionaries of abbreviations. The Slovar krajšav was compiled based on an analysis of the characteristics of English dictionary entries for abbreviations, and according to the characteristics of the compilation methods used for bilingual dictionaries. The dictionary of abbreviations includes entries in 22 languages, with the most frequent being English, Italian and French. In this article the focus is on compiling English dictionary entries and using the Krajšavar algorithm.

Keywords: abbreviations, English, dictionary, algorithm, dictionary of abbreviations, languages, Krajšavar

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

The Effectiveness of the "Real-Life-Based School Dictionary" as an Electronic Dictionary

Ayça Çağlayan Özkan — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:32:50 +0000

The Real-Life-Based School Dictionary (GYTOS) is designed to include the general vocabulary, terms, collocations, idioms, proverbs, synonyms and antonyms of Turkish for primary and secondary school students who are the target audience with monolingual, virtual and code generation and decoding functions. The corpus linguistics method was used in the creation phase of the dictionary and all lemmas were identified and structured on a real-life basis through the created corpus (https://okulsozlugum.com/).

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of GYTOS on the vocabulary development of primary and secondary school students. For this purpose, the students' level of experience in using the dictionary was first determined. Then, an achievement test was administered to students who used the dictionary and students who did not use the dictionary to statistically determine the effect of GYTOS on students' vocabulary development.

In the study, a 13-question questionnaire was used to determine students' experience of using GYTOS and it was found that they found GYTOS to be highly adequate. Furthermore, students stated that GYTOS was an easy-to-use and accessible resource. As a result of the achievement test, it was found that the scores of two different groups of students at the same level and with the same number of users of GYTOS from the same achievement test showed a statistically significant difference.

Keywords: Real-Life-Based School Dictionary, effectiveness, school dictionary, language skills

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).

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.

Yongwei Gao. A Dictionary of Contemporary English Neologisms and Trendy Words.

Aling Shi — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:17:57 +0000

Review of Yongwei Gao. A Dictionary of Contemporary English Neologisms and Trendy Words.

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.

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.