The Tshivenda–English Thalusamaipfi/Dictionary as a product of South African lexicographic processes
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bureau of the WAT
Abstract
The publication of a dictionary is regarded as the result of a lexicographic process.
Three subtypes of a lexicographic process have been noted, namely the primary comprehensive,
the secondary comprehensive and the dictionary specific lexicographic processes. In South Africa,
the three lexicography processes correspond to the respective mandates of the Pan South African
Language Board (PanSALB), the National Lexicography Units (NLUs) and the editorial teams
involved in the compilation of the specific dictionaries. This hierarchical arrangement of the lexicographic
practice is supported by the government within the country's national multilingual policy
which was lauded in linguistic and lexicographic circles as a triumph for cultural democracy. It is
almost a decade since these planned lexicographic processes have been in place. It seems the right
time to consider the products of these South African lexicographic processes which are envied by
many foreign lexicographers, especially in Africa. Accordingly, the article evaluates these lexicographic
processes with special reference to the Tshivend√a–English T√halusamaipfi/Dictionary. Specifically,
it addresses the question: To what extent does this dictionary represent lexicographic development
in the indigenous South African languages which were marginalised before the establishment
of the NLUs? A few insights are drawn from modern lexicographic theories for the general
improvement of future lexicographic practice in languages with limited lexicographic tools such as
Venda.
Description
CITATION: Madiba, M. & Nkomo, D. 2010. The Tshivenda–English Thalusamaipfi/Dictionary as a product of South African lexicographic processes. Lexikos, 20:307-325, doi:10.5788/20-0-145.
The original publication is available at http://lexikos.journals.ac.za/
The original publication is available at http://lexikos.journals.ac.za/
Keywords
Bilingual dictionaries, Lexicographic processes -- South Africa, Lexicography -- Dictionaries, Venda language -- Lexicography, Terms and phrases -- Lexicography
Citation
Madiba, M. & Nkomo, D. 2010. The Tshivenda–English Thalusamaipfi/Dictionary as a product of South African lexicographic processes. Lexikos, 20:307-325, doi:10.5788/20-0-145