Lexicographic inconsistency in the central list of major dictionary/groot woordeboek

Date
2000-12
Authors
Brand, J. E. (Johanna Elizabeth)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Bilingual dictionaries should have a decoding as well as an encoding function. Decoding dictionaries want to assist the user in interpreting the language, while encoding dictionaries want to help the user with the usage of the language. The present role of a bilingual or translation dictionary has to change from that of supplying only translation equivalents to one of supplying a more comprehensive data presentation. This should also include additional semantic and pragmatic information. The main aim of a bilingual dictionary should not only be the establishment of a relation of semantic equivalence between source and target language, but also reaching communicative equivalence in the process. This means that the user must be able to find the applicable equivalent of the source language item in the target language. One of the best ways for a lexicographer to test the communicative aptness of a given translation equivalent, is by means of the reversibility principle. It means that lexical item A, included as translation equivalent of lemma B in the X-section of a bidirectional translation dictionary, has to be included as a lemma in the Y-section ofthe dictionary with at least the lexical item B, the relevant lemma from the X-section, as one of its translation equivalents. Each lexical item included as a translation equivalent in the Y-section has to be included as the lemma in the X-section of the dictionary with at least the respective lemma from the Ysection as a translation equivalent. This thesis tries to show how, if not adhered to the above principles, an inferior product can be the result of many hours of painstaking work. The main problematic areas are inter alia those of labels, spelling inconsistencies and an absence of translation equivalents. However, some of the less obvious problematic areas are also touched upon.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tweetalige woordeboeke behoort 'n dekoderende sowel as 'n enkoderende funksie te hê. Dekoderende woordeboeke moet die gebruiker help om die taal te interpreteer, terwyl enkoderende woordeboeke die gebruiker moet help met die gebruik van 'n woodeboek. Die huidige rol van 'n tweetalige ofvertalende woordeboek moet verander van een wat slegs vertalingsekwivalente verskaf, na een met meer omvattende data. 'n Tweetalige woordeboek behoort nie slegs die gebruiker van vertalingsekwivalente te voorsien nie, maar behoort ook addisionele semantiese en pragmatiese inligting in te sluit. Een van die beste maniere vir 'n leksikograaf om die kommunikatiewe geskiktheid van 'n gegewe vertalingsekwivalent te toets, is deur middel van die omkeerbaarheidsbeginsel. Hiermee word bedoel dat leksikale item A, wat ingesluit is as 'n vertalingsekwivalent van lemma B in the X-seksie van 'n tweerigtingwoordeboek, ook ingesluit moet word as 'n lemma in die Y-seksie van die woordeboek met ten minste the leksikale item B, die relevante lemma van die X-seksie, as een van sy vertalingsekwivalente. Hierdie tesis gaan aandui hoe, wanneer daar nie aan hierdie vereistes voldoen word nie, 'n minderwaardige produk die resultaat is van baie ure se harde werk. Die hoofareas onder bespreking is onder meer etikette, Spellingonreëlmatighede en die afwesigheid van vertalingsekwivalente. Daar word egter ook aandag geskenk aan probleme wat nie op so 'n groot skaal voor kom nie.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.
Keywords
Lexicography, Afrikaans language -- Dictionaries -- English, Dissertations -- Afrikaans language, Theses -- Afrikaans language
Citation