Towards an Electronic Specialized Dictionary for Learners

Authors: Marjan Alipour, Benoît Robichaud, Marie-Claude L’Homme

Abstract:
This paper describes the strategies devised in order to convert the DiCoInfo, Dictionnaire fondamental de l’informatique et de l’Internet, a specialized lexical database, into a learners’ dictionary. Our main goal is to obtain a user-oriented dictionary (i.e. that meets specific user needs). Firstly, we defined the types of users towards which our dictionary is targeted: translation students are our first intended users. Then we determined the use situations and the functions of our dictionary: it should provide assistance in communicative and cognitive situations (Tarp, 2008). We made several changes to adapt the data categories of the DiCoInfo to these functions and user needs. In addition, we simplified the presentation: layout, display of data categories, access to data and addition of multimedia. In this user-oriented version, the data is presented in such a way that users who do not have a background in linguistics can easily interpret the contents of the data categories. Finally, different technologies were integrated in the process and hopefully contribute to make the new version even more accessible.

Keywords: electronic dictionary; learners’ dictionary; specialized dictionary; dictionary functions; user needs

Reference: In Kosem, I., Jakubiček, M., Kallas, J., Krek, S. (eds.) Electronic lexicography in the 21st century: linking lexical data in the digital age. Proceedings of the eLex 2015 conference, 11-13 August 2015, Herstmonceux Castle, United Kingdom. Ljubljana/Brighton: Trojina, Institute for Applied Slovene Studies/Lexical Computing Ltd., pp. 51-69.

URL: https://elex.link/elex2015/proceedings/eLex_2015_04_Alipour+Robichaud+L’Homme.pdf

Published: 2015