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

Abstract

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