Doctoral Degrees (Afrikaans and Dutch)

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A corpus-based theory and lexicographic process for the inclusion of neologisms, archaisms and foreign loanwords in lexicons of Qeqchi Mayan
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Frazier, Jeffrey Brent; Gouws, Rufus H.; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: All languages employ the processes of lexicogenesis to create new lexical items. Some of these lexical innovations successfully navigate the phases of lexical emergence and become stable words—initially gaining purchase in the mental lexicon before ultimately becoming eligible for lemmatization in print or digital lexicographic works. In the case of minority and indigenous languages there is often an acute need for the natural processes of lexicogenesis to be supplemented with coordinated programs of planned neology in order to fill lexical gaps and supply the languages with the vocabulary necessary to function in the modern world. Little research has been undertaken to systematically study these officially proposed lexical items and the degree to which they have become established in their speech communities and meet the criteria for inclusion in dictionaries of the language. In the present work I elaborate a lexicographic theory and decision-making process for the systematic inclusion, exclusion, and/or qualification of a variety of proposed lexical items with a particular focus on neologisms, archaisms, and loanwords from foreign languages. In addressing each of these topics I use Q’eqchi’, a member of the Mayan language family, as a model and living language laboratory to systematically analyze three distinct sets of officially proposed lexical items produced over the course of the past thirty years. Using the tools and methods of corpus linguistics, along with a multistage heuristic for determining lexical status and a multivariate model for assessing lexicographic value, I illustrate how the principles of cognitive linguistics and lexicographic theory can be used to produce better lexicographic data and an improved lexicographic process in pursuit of advancing indigenous language lexicography.
Criteria for a multifunctional, monolingual dictionary in junior secondary education
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-03) Louw, Phillipus Adriaan; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The decision to move away from a content-based education system to an outcomes-based system has necessitated a fresh look at the role of dictionaries in the South African classroom. The current metalexicographical literature clearly shows that there are two areas of particular concern. Firstly, the dictionary culture in schools needs to improve. The acquisition of better dictionary skills needs to be aggressively pursued, as dictionaries are not only vital instruments in the classroom but also in the life-long learning process. Teacher training will play an important role in the fulfilment of this vision. There are, however, also serious concerns regarding the user-friendliness of the current school dictionaries and other dictionaries employed in South African classrooms. In this dissertation the structural deficiencies of monolingual dictionaries with English as a treated language and used in the junior secondary learning stage will be discussed. Furthermore, a model for a new monolingual school dictionary that balances innovation with the adherence to dominant procedures and practices will be presented. Such a dictionary must not only be a powerful communicative tool, but will also have important pedagogical functions that, in adherence to the user perspective, shape its typological and structural profiles. Possible typological and structural profiles for the proposed dictionary will be discussed in detail in this dissertation. It is important that the lexicographer ensures that the user reaches the information he/she is looking for, as swiftly as possible. Accordingly, the role of the macrostructure will be discussed cursorily and the role of guide structures and accessory texts in more detail. The focal point of this dissertation will, however, be the role of the microstructure in ensuring both communicative and pedagogical success. The role and value of data on pronunciation and grammar, and pragmatic and etymological data will be discussed, but the transfer of semantic data will be emphasised. More comprehensive microstructural treatment than is found in the current school dictionaries will be pleaded for throughout. In this regard the findings of an empirical probe conducted in three schools will be employed to support some of the assumptions and proposals. The need for more comprehensive items giving the meaning paraphrase is one of the most prominent findings in this probe, and an innovative way of constructing such items scientifically, yet, with the user's needs in mind, will be presented. Ultimately the vision is for a junior secondary school dictionary that can function as a powerful communicative and pedagogical tool to aid in the linguistic empowerment of both mother-tongue and non-mother-tongue learners of English in an OBE-classroom context. An integration of a study of existing literature, analysis of material from the current school dictionaries and data obtained empirically should, however, not only lead to criteria useful for dictionaries with English as treated language. The criteria given in this dissertation also provide valuable guidelines for the broader South African and international pedagogical lexicography.
Dictionaries as teaching instruments for mother tongue education : the case of Fang in Gabon
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006-03) Nyangone Assam, Blanche; Gouws, R. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation attempts a study in the design of school dictionaries for their use in the mother tongue or first language education. Pedagogical dictionaries have undergone changes, which are also due to changes, which had taken, place in the teaching of the mother tongue and in descriptive linguistics from the 1950s onwards. Features of the pedagogical model also have been affected by the development in language-teaching methodology. The teaching of the mother tongue is now less concerned with the knowledge and critical exploration of texts than with competence in oral and written expression.
Gebruikersperspektief in die Afrikaanse leksikografie
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 1999-03) Fouche-Van der Merwe, Michele; Gouws, R. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the user perspective in Afrikaans lexicography. Placing the user and his needs first, research was done to determine the user-friendliness of Afrikaans dictionaries. In order to conduct such research user target groups had to be identified. This was problematic, since until now, almost no research on Afrikaans dictionary users had been done. An overview of the research on the user perspective is given in the first chapter. Since the teaching of dictionary use in schools forms a substantial part of the user perspective, the present state was investigated. As a result the necessity of teaching of dictionary use in schools has been emphasized and some improvements in this regard have been suggested. The following Afrikaans dictionaries were studied to determine their userfriendliness: Verklarende Handwoordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal (HAT) and Verklarende Afrikaanse Woordeboek (VAW), Basiswoordeboek van Afrikaans (BA), Reader's Digest Afrikaans-Engelse Woordeboek/English-Afrikaans Dictionarv (RD) and Groot Tesourus van Afrikaans (GT). These dictionaries were investigated with regard to their functions, textual segments and transfer of information. Some more user-friendly models for dictionaries have been suggested. The study is aimed at the metalexicographer, since it has been approached from a theoretical point of view, but also at the practical lexicographer because practical dictionary use has been investigated. Ultimately, it is hoped that this study will contribute towards more user-friendly dictionaries that put the user first.
A grammatical framework for the computational parsing of written Afrikaans sentences
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) Swarts, Johannes Jacobus; Gouws, R. H.; Van Rooyen, G-J.; Oosthuizen, J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation investigates which grammatical framework is best suited to computationally represent and parse written Afrikaans sentences. This knowledge is necessary to build a large scale Afrikaans treebank – a resource which does not yet exist, but is a critical prerequisite for advanced endeavours in Afrikaans natural language processing. To gain this knowledge, we formally describe the building blocks of written Afrikaans from the perspectives of two major grammatical frameworks: constituency grammar and dependency grammar. Using these formal descriptions, we construct the first linguistically motivated treebank for Afrikaans, annotated with both constituency and dependency graphs. We perform k-fold cross-validation on multiple variations of this treebank with four state of the art sentence parsers, and fine-comb the results. Combining insights from the formal descriptions of written Afrikaans with the data obtained during parser evaluation, we conclude that dependency grammar outperforms constituency grammar at computationally representing the syntactic structure of written Afrikaans sentences under the conditions tested.
Die impak van die leksikografieteorie op die samestelling van die Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-03) Botha, Willem; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences . Dept. of Afrikaans & Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although work on the Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal started in the pretheoretic era of lexicography, it was originally the wish of the editorial staff to involve linguists in the compilation of the dictionary. They were, however, reluctant to implement suggestions of the critics after the first volumes had been published. A few adaptations were made, but a high premium was placed on the uniformity of the dictionary so that no meaningful changes were considered. The increasing harshness of the critisism as well as growing doubt whether the dictionary would be completed at the ever slowing pace, motivated the editorial staff to make a radical about-turn at the halfway mark. In an unprecedented step in lexicography the dictionary was redesigned during 1989 and 1990. Metalexicographers were involved and critisism on the completed volumes as well as the insights of lexicographic theory were taken into account in the designing of the new generation WAT volumes. The interaction between theory and practice should however be an ongoing process and more adaptations should be made if the ideal remains that the dictionary should reflect the state of metalexicography.
'n Leksikografiese model vir 'n elektroniese tweetalige grondslagfasewoordeboek van Suid-Afrikaanse Gebaretaal en Afrikaans
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03) Fourie, Hanelle; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study proposes a concept model for an electronic bilingual dictionary of sign language and Afrikaans (or English, or any other spoken language) that can be applied in practice by the De la Bat School for the Deaf in Worcester – or any school of similar organisation – to compile a bilingual dictionary in which it is not only possible to look up a sign via a written word but also to look up a sign even if the user does not necessarily know the written equivalent. This is important as it will mean that, for the first time in South Africa, a Deaf user would not have to be literate in any written language to use a dictionary in his or her own language. At the same time a hearing user would be able to look up a sign of which the meaning is unknown, for example when a sign is noticed in a conversation or an unknown context. The sign language dictionaries currently available in South Africa are little more than alphabetically arranged (or sometimes thematically arranged) lists in which the written language offers the only access to the content. As per introduction the first four chapters provide general discussions of sign language, the Deaf in South Africa, lexicography and sign language dictionaries. The discussions which follow in the remaining chapters focus on the decisions which have to be made in terms of the proposed dictionary’s content and design. These chapters contain recommendations regarding equivalent relations between sign language and Afrikaans, several outer texts which could be included in the frame structure, the characteristics of the electronic database from which the dictionary will be generated, as well as decisions that have to be made about the microstructure. In the last chapter the lexicographic model for an electronic bilingual Foundation Phase dictionary of South African Sign Language and Afrikaans is provided with complete examples.
Die meerwoordige leksikale item in Afrikaans
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1998-03) Bosman, Hendrina Johanna; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans & Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines a subset of the Afrikaans lexicon, namely multiword lexical items like the following: met behulp van, op een na, met die deur in die huis val, om die bos lei, die swaard van Damokles, ad hoc, kant en wal. A description is given of the concepts lexical item and multiword lexical item. It is shown that multiword lexical items possess characteristics like fixedness, idiomaticity and lexicalization in different degrees. The theoretical framework of the study is that of cognitive grammar. The cognitive semantics approach is contrasted with that of structural and generative grammar. It is shown that the semantics of multiword lexical items can best be described within the theory of motivation of cognitive semantics by studying the motivatedness of a few idioms and particle verbs in Afrikaans. The study concludes with a classification of the multiword lexical items in Afrikaans.
Metaleksikografiese kriteria vir woordeboekpedagogie binne ’n omvattende woordeboekkultuur
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Claassen, Dane; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : ’n Groot hoeveelheid navorsing is die afgelope paar dekades oor woordeboekvaardighede en woordeboekpedagogie gedoen. Ondanks al hierdie navorsing het niks prakties daaruit gespruit nie. Woordeboekpedagogie is veral op skoolvlak in Suid-Afrika ondersoek. Omdat die Nasionale Kurrikulum- en Assesseringsbeleidsverklaring (NKAV) van Suid-Afrikaanse skole nie in die nabye toekoms ernstig aandag gaan skenk aan die belang van woordeboekvaardighede en woordeboekpedagogie nie, is dit tyd om die aandag op tersiêre instellings te rig en daarop te fokus. Studente wat aan ’n tersiêre instelling studeer, is deel van Generasie Z en daarom is dit belangrik dat woordeboekpedagogie gerig is op gedrukte en aanlyn woordeboeke. Die hoofdoelwit van hierdie proefskrif is om metaleksikografiese kriteria vir ’n woordeboekpedagogieprogram daar te stel, wat moontlik in die toekoms gebruik kan word om ’n kurrikulum vir woordeboekpedagogie vir al elf amptelike tale van Suid-Afrika saam te stel. Die fokus van hierdie kriteria is nie slegs op woordeboekgebruikers nie, maar ook op woordeboeke en leksikograwe. Hierdie proefskrif pleit vir die vaste staanplek van woordeboekvaardighede en woordeboekpedagogie in ’n uitgebreide leksikografieteorie. Die studie het die Algemene Leksikografieteorie en die Funksieteorie as uitgangspunt, maar daar word deurentyd aandag geskenk aan veelvuldige metaleksikografiese bydraes. Die gebruikersgroep van hierdie studie is Generasie Z en die woordeboeke waarop daar gefokus word, is Pharos Afrikaans-Engels/English-Afrikaans Woordeboek Dictionary en PharosOnline/PharosAanlyn asook die Handwoordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal (sesde uitgawe) en HAT Aanlyn. Hierdie woordeboeke is gekies omdat hulle algemene Afrikaanse woordeboeke is waarmee die breër gemeenskap vertroud is. Omdat Suid-Afrikaanse aanlyn woordeboeke nie op dieselfde vlak is as dié van baie ander lande nie, is daar gebruik gemaak van verskeie ander aanlyn woordeboeke om verskillende aspekte van ’n aanlyn woordeboek uit te wys. Die ideaal is om gebruikers te hê wat nie slegs woordeboekgeletterd is nie, maar ook inligtinggeletterd. Aanlyn woordeboeke gee toegang tot ’n soekuniversum waarvan baie eksterne naslaanbronne deel is. Die gebruiker moet dus weet watter inligting om te kies en hoe om dit te gebruik. Die probleem is dat Suid-Afrika ’n ontwikkelende land is en dat ’n groot gedeelte van die bevolking nie eers toegang tot ’n rekenaar het nie. Daarom moet die fokus van ’n woordeboekpedagogieprogram veral geplaas word op primêre woordeboekpedagogie. Hierdie tipe pedagogie verwys na pedagogie wat eksplisiet deur die opvoedkundige vir die gebruiker aangeleer word. Daar moet ook gefokus word op sekondêre woordeboekpedagogie. Hierdie tipe pedagogie verwys na die gebruikersgids as eksplisiete leiding deur die leksikograaf, maar ook na die toeganklikheid en gebruikersvriendelikheid waarmee data in die woordeboek vir die gebruiker aangebied word. Die terme primêre en sekondêre woordeboekpedagogie is innoverende terme wat nog nie in enige teorie vasgelê is nie. Op grond van hierdie terme word kriteria vir ’n woordeboekpedagogieprogram voorgestel.
Metaleksikografiese ondersoek na konteksleiding in Afrikaanse vertalende woordeboeke
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006-03) Beyer, Herman Louis; Gouws, R. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
This study reports on a metalexicographical investigation into contextual guidance in Afrikaans translation dictionaries. The problem that gives rise to the need for such an investigation is demonstrated from a practical perspective, after which attention is paid to determining the genuine purpose of a dictionary by looking at the component parts of the concept, i.e. the typological placement and the target user group of the dictionary in question. The discussion of the target user group evolves into an in-depth look at the user aspect, which results in the development and presentation of the model of lexicographical parameters for user-friendly dictionaries. This model aims to provide a scientific description of lexicographical user friendliness. Existing proposed definitions of the genuine purpose of a dictionary coupled with the benefit of insights derived from the model of lexicographical parameters for user-friendly dictionaries make the presentation of a new definition of the genuine purpose of a (translation) dictionary possible, which is followed by defining a polyfunctional translation dictionary for Southern Africa. Attention is also paid to some macrostructural issues pertaining to standard translation dictionaries, among others vertical and horizontal alphabetical macrostructures and niching and nesting as manifestations of horizontal alphabetical macrostructures. With regard to nesting, the classification of first and second level nesting is expanded by the description of third and fourth level nesting. The influence of the organisation plan and the dictionary conceptualisation plan on the selection of lexical items for the macrostructure of a standard dictionary is touched upon. An in-depth evaluation of contextual guidance in Afrikaans standard translation dictionaries follows the exposition of the rationale for it and the definitions of the terms context, contextualisation and contextual guidance. The discussion produces the identification of the types of contextualising entries, among others meaning explanations, lexicographical labels and glosses, which fall under the main class of discriminators and which in turn functions alongside the main classes of cotext entries and inserted texts. Each type and subtype is studied meticulously, and distribution structures are determined and evaluated through the study of dictionary data. The study of the data also results in the identification of different levels of contextualisation as well as different types of translation equivalent paradigms. The discussion of lexicographical labels takes on the form of a critical overview of the existing literature on this topic and results in the presentation of a new and scientifically sounder model for the description of labelling in dictionaries in general, i.e. the deixis model. The study of contextualising entries is followed by a discussion of certain elements of the composition of dictionary articles that can support successful contextual guidance, i.e. types of microstructures and the rapid internal access structure. The in-depth study of contextualisation makes the revision of the definition for the term contextualising entry possible. Ultimately a practical model for more effective contextual guidance in polyfunctional Afrikaans translation dictionaries is presented in three main components, i.e. (i) standards for the application of contextual entries, (ii) the proposal of an adapted rapid internal access structure, and (iii) the effective application of functional types of microstructures. The requirements of lexicographical accountability and user-friendliness remain central motives throughout the study.
Metalexicographic criteria for a monolingual descriptive dictionary presenting the standard variety of Yipunu
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007-12) Tomba Moussavou, Fatima; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dictionaries available in the Gabonese languages are all translation dictionaries biased towards French and compiled by missionaries and colonial administrators. No proper monolingual dictionaries exist in the Gabonese languages. There is therefore a need for monolingual dictionaries in the Gabonese languages, particularly in Yipunu, one of the Bantu languages (B 43) spoken in the South of Gabon. Yipunu is a regional vehicular language or a major or majority language. Yipunu is a domestic language i.e spoken inside Bapunu communities or a mother tongue or first language and Yipunu is also taught as subject in the national educational system. As a response to this need, this dissertation proposes metalexicographic criteria for the compilation of a standard descriptive monolingual dictionary with special reference to Yipunu. The proposed model focuses primarily on the inclusion and the treatment of the standard variety of Yipunu and to a lesser degree on the other varieties. Such a model is directed at a dictionary primarily dealing with the needs of the average, educated members of the Yipunu speech community, the mother-tongue speakers, and also designed for experienced and advanced learners of Yipunu and their teachers. This study aims to point out how important standard descriptive monolingual dictionaries are in general and specifically in the case of African Bantu languages. This study also aims to highlight the importance for Gabonese lexicographers to adopt modern lexicographical principles in dictionary compilation such as the user-driven dictionary and the corpus-based dictionary. This model, although devised for Yipunu, will eventually serve as model for the design of standard descriptive dictionaries in all Gabonese languages. This study provides information about the content and the structures of such a dictionary and is structured as follows: Chapter 1 focuses on introducing and contextualising the research. It presents the linguistic situation in Gabon with reference to the status of Yipunu. It also shows the importance and the relevance of the research and gives the theoretical basis, methodology, hypotheses and objectives underlying the study. Chapter 2 criticises the lexicographic works in Yipunu in order to improve the quality of future Yipunu dictionaries and examines the major needs of Yipunu lexicography. Chapter 3 envisages some aspects of the standardisation of Yipunu. It targets the discussion at the level of the language analysis namely the phonology, the grammar, the dictionary and the orthography of Yipunu. Chapter 4 discusses the user perspective, which guides the dictionary compilation. It focuses on the user profile, user typologies and dictionary functions. The intended dictionary has a multifunctional character. Special attention is given to a pioneering survey of dictionary use among Gabonese students and to the discussion of the teaching of dictionary use in Gabon. Chapter 5 deals with the dictionary plan. Different aspects such as the style guide, the genuine purpose, the dictionary basis, data collection, the data collection policy, data collection methods and the corpus of the proposed dictionary are discussed Chapter 6 elaborates on the macrostructure of the proposed dictionary. The dictionary gives priority to a strict alphabetical macrostructure. Macrostructural elements, lemmatisation strategies, and types of lemmas and articles to be included in the proposed dictionary are discussed. Chapter 7 focuses on the microstructure of the proposed dictionary. The model suggests an obligatory microstructure and an extended obligatory microstructure and discusses the variety of data to be included in the articles of the proposed dictionary. Chapter 8 deals with the outer text section and the guide structures of the proposed dictionary, which includes front and back matter texts. Polyaccessibility, a system of cross-referencing, and lemmatic and non-lemmatic addressings are characteristics of the proposed dictionary. Chapter 9 makes some concluding remarks by highlighting the focus point of each chapter of the dissertation. It gives also some recommendations for the research.
Metalexicographical criteria for the compilation of a trilingual dictionary : Yilumbu-English-French
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-12) Mavoungou, Paul Achille; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work discusses various metalexicographic theories in general and Wiegand's General Theory of Lexicography in particular, in order to determine its possibilities for the planning and compilation of a trilingual dictionary: Yilumbu-English-French. Chapter 1 of the dissertation gives an overview of Wiegand's General Theory of Lexicography as well as some aspects of lexicographic processes, dictionary typology and the structure of dictionaries followed by a survey of lexicographic activities in Gabon. On account of what already exists, this chapter will help the reader see why the choice was made to develop a theoretical model for a trilingual dictionary. Chapter 2 discusses various issues related to the target user groups of the planned dictionary, their reference skills, and some aspects of dictionary use as well as a number of macro- and microstructural problems. Chapter 3 focuses on a number of ways the planned dictionary could promote the standardization of the Yilumbu language. Chapter 4 discusses the contents and presentation of all the data that will be included in the outer texts in the frame structure of the planned dictionary. Priority is given to the socalled integrated outer text as opposed to non-integrated outer texts. In chapter 5, the macrostructure of the work is discussed to establish what should be included in the planned dictionary and what should not. This chapter shows that all types of lexical items, including multiword lexical items, should be given lemma status in the planned dictionary. Moreover all items should ideally be included according to the word tradition and on account of their usage frequency in the corpus and orthographical problems should be solved in accordance with the needs and reference skills of the target users. Apart from these aspects, types of dialectal forms as well as the type of specialfield lexical items to be lemmatized in the planned dictionary are also discussed in this chapter. As far as the treatment of e.g. technical terms is concerned, it is the ultimate goal of the present Gabonese Government to promote Science and Technology in the vernaculars of the people of Gabon. For this to come true, it is expected from the Government to put some efforts into literacy development e.g. supplying teachers and pupils with relevant reading materials. It is also believed that Mother-tongue Education at primary, secondary and tertiary level is a major but feasible undertaking for Gabon. Chapter 6 focuses on the microstructure of the planned dictionary. In this chapter, after presenting different types of microstructures, it is shown that an integrated microstructure is most suitable to enhance the retrievability of the information on the part of the users. This chapter also investigates different kinds of data types to be considered for inclusion in the microstructure of the planned dictionary. In Chapter 7 the access structure of the planned dictionary is discussed. In this chapter, the focus is on various types of devices, typographic and non-typographic structural indicators as well as the use of equivalent registers, to enhance the accessibility of the data and give the work a truly poly-functional and poly-accessible character. Chapter 8 will discuss the addressing structure of the planned dictionary. Since the latter is monoseopal and because of the lemmatic bias that usually prevails in such a work, the emphasis in this chapter will be on various aspects of non-lemmatic addressing procedures that will shift the focus from the source to the target languages. Chapter 9 discusses the mediostructure and textual condensation in the planned dictionary. Explicit and consistent cross-referencing, the non-use of substitution symbols, explicit labelling, etc. are claimed to be best suited to capture the needs and reference skills of the target groups.
A microstructural programme for dictionaries in Fang
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007-12) Ekwa Ebanega, Guy-Modeste; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation focuses on a microstructural programme for dictionaries in Fang. The author uses the theoretical framework of the German metalexicographer H.E. Wiegand as basis to devise a model for the investigation of different kinds of microstructures, articles, data and items to be considered for future dictionaries in Fang directed at the specific needs and reference skills of the target users. This model makes provision for assistance with other components of the dictionary, i.e. data distribution, outer texts, dictionary functions, access structure, addressing structure and mediostructure to organize the microstructural data within the dictionary article. The dissertation is structured as follows: Chapter 1 presents the problem statement. This chapter gives a description of the linguistic situation of the Gabonese languages, a presentation of Fang dialects, an inventory of the work done on Fang, the lexicographic aspects, the aims and objectives of the research, and the research hypotheses. Chapter 2 gives a brief overview of Wiegand's general theory of lexicography. In his work, Wiegand discusses a number of topics relevant to this research, namely dictionary structures, access structure, addressing structure, data distribution structure, macrostructure, microstructure, microarchitecture, outer texts, frame structure, dictionary functions, dictionary typology, needs, reference skills of the user, etc. Chapter 3 concentrates on the corpus and the microstructure. The use of a corpus is of great impoliance in the compilation of the microstructure of a dictionary. The di scussion deals with the identification of microstructural elements (sense distinction, translation equivalents, authentic examples, collocations, idioms, etc.) by means of a corpus. Chapter 4, treating dictionary functions, focuses on aspects such as the genuine purpose of the dictionary, characteristics of the users and users' needs. These aspects have an impact on the contents of the dictionary, i.e. the data to be included in the dictionary article. Chapter 5 deals with the major structures of the dictionary. The different structures of a dictionary, i.e. data distribution, central list, macrostructure, microstructure, access structure, addressing structure, mediostructure and outer texts are briefly discussed .. This chapter also focuses on data to be included in the front and back matter texts in the dictionary with the planned microstructural programme. Chapter 6 treats different types of articles and lexical items to be included in the dictionary. The focus is on single articles, complex articles, synopsis a1iicles, lexical items, sublexical items and multiword lexical items. Chapter 7 concentrates on the nature of the microstructure and the different types of microstructure. The type(s) of microstructme used in the dictionary enhance the retrievability of the information on the paii of the users. For example, in the planning of a dictionary, the lexicographer(s) has (have) to decide between different types of microstructures, i.e. ai1 integrated, unintegrated or semi-integrated microstructure. Chapter 8 focuses on the comment on form . A discussion is given of those data types reflecting on the form of the lemma sign, i.e. phonetics, pronunciation, spelling and grainmar. Chapter 9 concentrates on the comment on semantics. Under discussion are those data types reflecting the_ semantic and pragmatic features of the lexical item represented by the lemma, i.e. paraphrase of meaning, equivalents, antonymy, polysemy, hyponymy, etymology, pictorial illustrations, usage notes and glosses. Chapter 10 focuses on the guide structures of the dictionai·y ai1d aspects like access structure, addressing structure and mediostructure are treated. These aspects ai·e necessary for the dictionary consultation procedure. For example, by means of these guide structures the user can have rapid access to the desired data. Tn thi chapter, aspects like front matter text, back matter text, minigrammar etc. are discussed.
A model for the macro- and microstructure of a Yipunu-French school dictionary
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006-03) Mabika Mbokou, Ludwine; Gouws, R. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT:In the field of the science of language, dictionaries have always been part of a standardisation process. They are also part of the expansion, the development and the promotion of languages in societies. On the other hand, the education system is an important partner for both foreign language teaching and the development of local languages in countries with a weak written tradition like Gabon. It is a strong platform for the production of dictionaries because it includes the diffusion and the application of school programmes and school manuals. Therefore, it is relevant for the Gabonese population to rely on a well-established lexicographic tradition to preserve and promote their local languages. Introducing dictionaries in the field of education can ensure this. Dictionaries have to be compiled in the Gabonese languages for Gabonese pupils learning those languages. Because each culture encourages the development of dictionaries suitable to particular difficulties, dictionaries compiled in Gabonese languages have to be made according to the Gabonese situation. The present dissertation will present a model for a bilingual school dictionary involving Yipunu, one of the Gabonese languages, and French. The aim will be to develop a model, based on metalexicographical principles, applicable to the Gabonese context. In this model the French section of the dictionary will not be active. The frame structure required in the compilation of such a model will contain a front matter, a back matter and a central list. Even if there are two treated languages, the dominant language in this dictionary will be Yipunu. French will appear only as translation equivalents. And for the convenience of the target users, the model will describe the content of a polyfunctional monodirectional bilingual Yipunu/French dictionary for Yipunu learners.
Die ontwerp van vertalende vakwoordeboeke met vertalers as teikengebruikers : 'n teoretiese model
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011-03) Potgieter, Liezl; Feinauer, A. E.; Gouws, R. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel woordeboeke op spesifieke teikengebruikers gerig is, het die leksikografie slegs 'n baie beperkte bydrae gelewer om hulpmiddels vir vertalers te ontwikkel. Veral die bestaande vakwoordeboeke gee min blyke van 'n teoretiese fundering en nog minder van 'n erkenning van die behoeftes van een van die tipiese gebruikersgroepe, te wete die professionele vertaler. Vertalers is 'n gebruikersgroep met eiesoortige behoeftes en benodig woordeboeke wat spesifiek op hierdie behoeftes gerig is. In hierdie proefskrif word daar eerstens aandag gegee aan die ontwikkeling van die leksikografie met spesifieke verwysing na die vakleksikografie en die belangrikste rolspelers op hierdie gebied sowel as aan die ontwikkeling van die vertaalteorie wat insluit die linguistiese, tekslinguistiese en funksionalistiese benaderings tot vertaling en die onderskeie rolspelers binne elk van die benaderings. Daar word ook gekyk na die probleem van ekwivalensie binne die vertaalteorie sowel as binne die leksikografie. Daarna word daar gekyk na die woordeboekgebruiker, die gebruikersperspektief en die verskillende woordeboekfunksies wat tydens die beplanning en samestelling van woordeboeke in gedagte gehou en in ag geneem moet word. Daar word vervolgens aandag gegee aan vertalers as woordeboekgebruikers en daar word aangedui watter soort probleme vertalers met bestaande vertalende vakwoordeboeke het. Daarna word die fokus geplaas op die leksikografiese behoeftes van en vereistes wat professionele vertalers aan vertalende vakwoordeboeke stel. Laastens word 'n teoreties gefundeerde model ontwikkel vir die beplanning en opstel van vertalende vakwoordeboeke wat aan 'n wye reeks eiesoortige probleme aandag gee en aan die spesifieke behoeftes van professionele vertalers voldoen.
The standard translation dictionary as an instrument in the standardization of Fang
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-04) Afane Otsaga, Thierry; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation offers metalexicographical criteria for the compilation of standard translation dictionaries in non-standardized languages. It particularly focuses on the role that the proposed dictionary model can play in the language standardization, with special reference to Fang. These criteria are based on different theoretical frameworks. Criteria for the dictionary structure are particularly based on Hausmann & Wiegand's General Theory of Lexicography, while a discussion of the role that dictionaries can play in the standardization process of languages is particularly based on criteria introduced by Zgusta. This dissertation is structured as follows: • Chapter 1, Introduction and problem statement, presents the motivation for the choice of the present topic, as well as the theoretical frameworks that I use to build my metalexicographical criteria. • Chapter 2, Fang and its dialects, focuses on the concerned language and its dialects. Apart from a historical overview of the Fang people, a wide inventory of works that have been implemented in Fang, as well as the choice and the motivation of the standard dialect are presented. • Chapter 3, Dictionaries and corpora, highlights the strong relationship between the compilation of modern dictionaries and electronic corpora. More precisely this chapter intends to demonstrate the importance of electronic corpora in the lexicographic practice. In this regard, the importance of some software and new corpus methods are also demonstrated. • Chapter 4, Aspects of the dictionary structure, mainly focuses on different structures of the dictionary and how data should be spread and organized in each dictionary component. A detailed account is given of the structure of each dictionary component. • Chapter 5, Dictionaries and standardization, focuses on the main purpose of the dissertation and demonstrates why and how the dictionary can be an instrument in the standardization process of languages, with specific reference to Fang. • Chapter 6, Concluding remarks, reviews all chapters by highlighting the focal points of each of them. Some perspectives or potential new developments are foreseen in order to pave the way for the elaboration of new theoretical frameworks and the improvement of the proposed dictionary model.
A theoretical model for an encyclopaedic dictionary for the Gabonese languages with reference to Yilumbu
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-03) Saphou-Bivigat, Gilles; Gouws, R. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation is an attempt to design a theoretical model for an encyclopaedic dictionary for Gabonese languages. It makes specific reference to Yilumbu, a developing language of the Bantu phylum (B44, according to Guthrie’s classification) spoken in Gabon and in Congo. All existing metalexicographic studies on Gabonese languages (including Yilumbu) pursue the compilation of comprehensive language dictionaries. Most of them are bilingual languages. On the other hand, a number of encyclopaedic dictionaries exist for Gabonese languages. Most of them were compiled by Catholic and Protestant missionaries and colonial administrators. However, none of these reference works was compiled on the basis of a prior metalexicographic orientation. Ultimately, the present study is the first of its kind to propose an encyclopaedic dictionary for Gabonese languages on the basis of a comprehensive metalexicographic analysis. This dissertation also shows that the planned encyclopaedic dictionary reflects the language planning needs of Gabon. Developing and documenting the Gabonese languages on all levels of communication in order to address all the roles and user characteristics are a great challenge. As far as encyclopaedic dictionary compilation is concerned, acquaintance with state-of-the-art developments in the theory and practice of lexicography is necessary. This dissertation comprises nine chapters. Chapter 1 mainly focuses on the specific aims, the purpose and the motivation of the study. The research problem is also demarcated in this chapter. Furthermore, the chapter presents the theoretical model that provides the framework for this research as well as the methodological approach adopted. The potential impact of the study, the reasons for and the position of the source and target languages as well as the sociolinguistic situation of Yilumbu are also introduced in the first chapter. Chapter 2 is a review of the dictionary typology with reference to the proposed model. It aims to present a typological framework for the planned encyclopaedic dictionary. It also introduces various dictionary typologies and contrasts encyclopaedic lexicography and general lexicography. The chapter concludes with a typological profile of the planned encyclopaedic dictionary for Yilumbu before outlining specific principles of the proposed model for an encyclopaedic dictionary. Chapter 3 is a review of encyclopaedic lexicography in Gabon. It introduces the concept of encyclopaedic lexicography. Then it provides a literature review of lexicographic surveys in the Gabonese languages by presenting existing encyclopaedic works in Gabon. The chapter also outlines recent trends in Gabonese lexicography in order to explain the situation of encyclopaedic lexicography in Gabonese lexicographic studies. Finally, the need for research in encyclopaedic lexicography in the Gabonese languages is underlined and specific advantages of encyclopaedic research for Yilumbu lexicography are introduced. Chapter 4 focuses on the target users of the planned encyclopaedic dictionary and its lexicographic functions. The chapter starts with a broad outline of target users and the activity of dictionary compilation. It also reviews what is known as target users and outlines user characteristics. The lexicographic functions of the planned encyclopaedic dictionary are also outlined in this chapter. Chapter 5 gives a comprehensive presentation of the frame structure of the planned encyclopaedic dictionary of Yilumbu. More specifically, the chapter provides a definition of the concept of frame structure and schematises the frame structure, highlighting its components. It outlines the accessory texts and the outer texts of the planned dictionary. This chapter also contains an outline of the front matter and the back matter strategies used for the Yilumbu encyclopaedic dictionary project. The central word list is also dealt with in this chapter. Finally, the chapter reports on the proposed frame structure functions. Chapter 6 focuses on the macrostructure of the planned dictionary. In this chapter, a general overview of the concept of macrostructure is first given. Then the chapter presents the dictionary basis and the selection of the lemma candidate list. Further macrostructural issues are also described. In Chapter 7, different aspects of the microstructure are discussed, focusing on a number of contributions. The chapter presents the concept of microstructure according to Hausmann and Wiegand (1989) and enumerates the different types of article to be included in the microstructure. Data to be included in the microstructure are also presented. Chapter 8 discusses the notion of access structure and its related concepts, namely outer access structure, inner access structure and search zones. The effectiveness and success of any dictionary is measured, among other things, by the accessibility and retrievability of the desired information. The chapter contains an overview of the concept of access structure and also deals with the outer access structure. Moreover, the chapter presents the inner access structure and the rapid access structure. The mediostructure is finally dealt with as a way of gaining access to data. Chapter 9 provides a comprehensive conclusion of the dissertation. This chapter also outlines the contribution of the research findings to lexicographic research, to the emerging Gabonese lexicography and to the fuller promotion of the Yilumbu language. It provides conclusions and formulates suggestions for further research.
A theoretical model for the preparation of an inclusive and bias-free expression dictionary
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Kaplan, Steven M.; Gouws, R. H.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The key to truly effective interpersonal relations is inclusive and bias-free expression, as language, culture, and society are inextricably intertwined. Expressions such as freedom, equality, ethics, justice, fairness, and objectivity have a prominent place within all cultural and societal contexts. Exclusive or biased expression may significantly impair how freedom is protected, equality upheld, ethics adhered to, justice meted, fairness preserved, and objectivity maintained. This can lead to individuals and groups of people being abused, bullied, dehumanised, oppressed, stereotyped, and othered. This unjust treatment might be based on gender, race, ethnic group, place of origin, sexual orientation, belief system, age, physical specific needs, and/or economic condition, among many others. This dissertation addresses three relevant, timely, and impactful lexicographical questions: •Are general English language dictionaries biased? •If so, how? •What kind of dictionary can be written to improve upon this situation? Despite there being widespread biased and exclusive expression in the English language, general dictionaries do not do an adequate job of alerting users to this usage. Users accessing these lexicons are usually only getting a part of the full picture, information that ignores these aspects, or even descriptions which promote further biased and exclusive usage. Therefore, these lexicons are biased. The dissertation begins by utilising a sociolinguistic framework to identify, describe, and illustrate biased and exclusive usage in the English language, focusing on some of the origins and current manifestations of the oppression and othering of two groups: females, and Hispanic Peoples. Next, eight example expressions help to scrutinise the performance of twelve habitually utilised general English language dictionaries, from the bias and exclusion perspectives. As a whole, these lexicons do not provide insight into how inequality, othering, and victimisation work through language. Their biased treatment is contrasted with how an inclusive and bias-free expression dictionary would handle these expressions, including some not yet incorporated into the general lexicons. This is followed by a comprehensive analysis of the users who will benefit from this specialised dictionary, and how to best fit their needs. These range from learners of the English language, all the way through scholars performing next-level research. The role this lexicon plays within a dictionary culture is also explored. Then, there is a thorough description of the typology, structures, functions, and content, along with lexicographers as real people, followed by a commentary on the benefits of electronic resources, suggestions for derivative works, and a recap of the contemplative and transformative characteristics of this dictionary. A problem in the current lexicographic practice is a lack of inclusive and bias-free expression dictionaries. To date, metalexicography has not assisted practical lexicographers in a sufficient way to plan and compile them. Factors including the interplay of exclusionary connotations of expressions, and the nuances and gradations of biased expression are beyond the scope of regular lexicons. This dissertation remedies this by providing a theoretical model for the preparation of a dictionary focused on biased and exclusive expression, so that users will have a trusted lexicographical reference covering these crucial aspects of language and communication.
Towards a lexicographical intervention in the acquisition and use of English in Zimbabwe
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-03) Nkomo, Dion; Gouws, R. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study considers a lexicographical intervention in the acquisition and use of English in Zimbabwe. English is the country’s sole official language. This means that it dominates all the other languages in the country in terms of prestige and usage in the high status domains such as government, media, law, education, etc. English is learnt as a compulsory subject throughout the education system up to the General Certificate of Ordinary Level (‘O’ Level) and used as medium of instruction from the fourth grade upwards. The annual national pass rate of around 33% and less than 10% for some schools in this subject has been recorded in recent years. An ‘O’ Level certificate is considered complete if is has registered five ‘O’ Level subjects including English. This means that without an ‘O’ Level English pass, learners have no chance to proceed to the General Certificate in Education Advanced Level (‘A’ Level) or tertiary education, and their chances of getting employment in the public service are limited, if not non-existent. In the mainstream scholarship on language policy and language planning in the country, this situation has resulted in advocating that indigenous languages, particularly Shona and Ndebele, be developed and elevated to the official status currently enjoyed by English. Far from being against the development and status elevation of indigenous languages, this study proposes a lexicographical intervention in the acquisition and use of English as one of the necessary mechanisms that may mitigate some problems associated with this language. It is argued that the problem with English is not simply that it is a language of foreign origin, to be explicit, the language of the former colonial master. Rather, the problem is that the majority of Zimbabweans are not competent enough to function in this language. Of course, this may be related to the fact that many Zimbabweans have to learn it as an additional language since it is not an indigenous language and thus linguistically and culturally distant from the native languages of its learners. Dealing with the field of lexicography, this dissertation considers an intervention with respect to those problems that may be addressed by the consultation of dictionaries. The availability, use and user-friendliness of English dictionaries are investigated in view of the characteristics of Zimbabweans as additional language learners of English, their situations in which lexicographically-relevant problems occur and the subsequent information needs. In doing this, the theory of learners’ lexicography (Tarp 2004; 2004a; 2008) is used. Firstly, it is established that dictionaries are scarce commodities in Zimbabwe, with a very limited range of dictionaries being available for Zimbabweans to buy. Secondly, dictionaries are not actively used in the learning and use of English within the school system, except in the former Group A schools which are elitist in nature. Curriculum developers, teachers, assessors and learners are not very clear about the role of dictionaries within the school system. Thirdly, the dictionaries that are used are not appropriate for the learners who consult them, with advanced learners’ dictionaries dominating the limited presence even at primary schools. Notwithstanding this poor background, it is generally accepted that appropriate dictionaries, despite the fact that there is a general lack of awareness of the differences between dictionaries, may address some of the problems associated with English, especially within the education system. Should this happen, the learners will develop a dictionary culture and regard dictionaries as utility products which they may rely on later in their academic and professional careers in which English continues to be dominant. A model of lexicographical intervention in the acquisition and use of English in Zimbabwe is therefore formulated. This is done against the above background and also the history of both English and Zimbabwean lexicography. English lexicography now sees English dictionaries being produced in a host of countries other than Britain, America, Australia and New Zealand, where English is a native language. This is mainly because of the dominant role that English has acquired in those countries such as South Africa. However, Zimbabwean lexicography has thus far focused on mother-tongue dictionaries in Shona and Ndebele, the main reason being the need to develop these formerly marginalised languages. Accordingly, the proposed model seeks to expand the scope of Zimbabwean lexicography. This is not just for the sake of expanding. On the contrary, in the research it is observed that the dictionaries constituting the envisaged lexicographical intervention have to be produced in Zimbabwe in order for them to effectively address the local needs regarding this language. For example, lemma selection, paraphrases of meaning, illustrative examples and data contained in the outer texts have to be linguistically and culturally relevant, taking into cognisance the native languages and cultures of the target users. It is observed that if the proposed model is to be successfully implemented, local publishers will need to play an important role, while curriculum developers, assessors, teachers and learners have to be lexicographically educated. At present, local publishers with international affiliations distribute externally-motivated dictionaries (Gouws 2005). Where dictionaries are used, no serious consideration is given regarding the appropriateness of the dictionaries. Any available dictionary is purchased regardless of its user-friendliness. Unfortunately this results in a situation where users fail to extract the best from the dictionaries and end up being disillusioned about the usefulness of dictionaries as utility tools. Some of the dictionaries found at schools are just locked in safe cabinets in headmasters’ offices while learners continue experiencing problems that could be solved by appropriate dictionaries. Accordingly, with lexicographical pedagogy, and further research on specific aspects of the model, a lexicographical intervention in the acquisition and use of English in Zimbabwe is considered a worthwhile enterprise.
Towards the development and application of representative lexicographic corpora for the Gabonese languages
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-03) Soami, Leandre Serge; Gouws, R. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Afrikaans and Dutch.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The compilation of dictionaries is a laborious activity and it takes time, money and staff to achieve the objectives of any dictionary project. Many dictionaries have been compiled using the lexicographers’ personal intuition and guessing rather than being corpus based. That resulted in some dictionaries often being criticised by users because of the lack of representation of some important lexical items. This can probably be explained by the fact that most of these dictionaries were compiled in an era when theoretical lexicography was lacking or not well established. The last decades have witnessed the emergence of metalexicography as a theory directed also at dictionary planning in order to enhance the quality of lexicographic practice and the way in which the management and the compilation of dictionaries are dealt with. The planning of dictionaries takes into account not only the gathering of language material to be used but also the way in which this material will be treated and presented on both the macrostructural and the microstructural level as well as in the front matter texts and the back matter texts. In order to enhance the quality of the presentation in dictionaries, this dissertation pleads in favour of the formulation of a data collection policy that takes into consideration all the different sources of material, written and spoken, used in the different phases of the compilation of a dictionary. The three phases that form the main focus of this study are the material acquisition phase, the material preparation phase and the material processing phase. The involvement of the speech community in the compilation of a lexicographic corpus ensures the collection of representative and balanced data, and the different needs of that community are central to the dictionary project. The different language materials can be organised into different corpus types. The efficiency of a corpus resides in its capacity to provide different data types that can be included in the comment on semantics and the comment on form of each article in the central list of each dictionary. Some dictionaries lack a good representation of data in both these comments in the different articles. However, languages such as the Gabonese languages are in a privileged situation because they can still avoid the mistakes of other dictionary compilers by investing in corpus-based dictionaries at this early stage. Therefore, the establishment of lexicographic units with multifunctional tasks can play an important role. In a multilingual environment such as Gabon the issue of language status needs to be dealt with carefully because it is realistic to choose a certain number of languages to function as official languages. Different alphabets are presented in this study and realistic choices are made. The way in which the language material is organised will impact on the quality of the macrostructure and microstructure; this is essential because dictionaries are consulted most of the time for the spelling of a given lexical item, for a translation equivalent or for the explanation of the meaning of a lemma sign. The computerisation of a corpus is a focal point and needs to be done in a satisfactory manner that presents a clean and helpful corpus in order to provide the lexicographer with useful statistics, frequency word lists and the different concordance lines that are very important for the wording of definitions and the extraction of example sentences. This is why a corpus is seen as an indispensable tool in the improvement of the macro- and the microstructure of any type of dictionary.

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Afrikaans and Dutch) by browse.metadata.advisor "Gouws, R. H."

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