In his textbook “Lexical Semantics”, D. A. Cruse defines dictionaries as follows: “An ordinary dictionary characterises a lexical item in three distinct, though intimately inter-connected, ways: first, its form (graphic and phonological); second, its grammatical function; and third, its meaning.” (1986: 1)
The biggest challenge for dictionaries usually lies in the latter: the description of mean-ing. Readers of dictionaries may have different backgrounds of knowledge and a dis-tinct vocabulary, so their understanding of definitions may vary greatly. Bilingual dic-tionaries have an easier time facing this challenge. They simply state the translation for a lexical unit. Monolingual dictionaries, however, need to find ways to adequately and comprehensively describe meaning, with different target groups in mind.
The following paper will discuss which methods dictionaries use to describe meaning. A special emphasis will be put on monolingual dictionaries and their approach to bringing meaning across to learners of English, who naturally draw on a limited vocabulary and thus may require innovative methods for the description of meaning.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Describing Meaning in Monolingual Dictionaries
- 2.1 Definitions
- 2.2 Intensional or Extensional Definitions
- 2.3 Polysemy
- 2.4 Collocations
- 3. Meaning for Learners
- 4. Describing Meaning in Bilingual Dictionaries
- 5. Conclusion
- 6. Research Project
- 6.1 Setting and Explanation
- 6.2 Results
- 6.3 Conclusion
- 7. Sources
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the methods dictionaries employ to describe word meaning, with a particular focus on monolingual dictionaries and their strategies for conveying meaning to English learners. It examines the challenges inherent in defining meaning and the various approaches dictionaries take to overcome these challenges.
- Methods of describing meaning in monolingual dictionaries
- Challenges of defining meaning for diverse audiences
- Approaches to defining meaning for English language learners
- Comparison of different dictionary approaches
- The role of context and usage in defining meaning
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central challenge of dictionary-making: accurately describing word meaning. It highlights the complexities involved, particularly the need to cater to readers with varying linguistic backgrounds and knowledge levels. Cruse's definition of a dictionary's role – describing form, grammatical function, and meaning – sets the stage for the paper's exploration of meaning description, emphasizing the difficulties inherent in capturing and conveying meaning effectively to a wide audience.
2. Describing Meaning in Monolingual Dictionaries: This chapter introduces the structure of monolingual dictionaries, focusing on lexical entries composed of lemmata and their descriptions. It discusses prominent dictionaries like the OED, LDOCE, Collins, COBUILD, DAE, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, and DNE, highlighting their significance in the British and American English-speaking worlds. The chapter also acknowledges the existence of specialized dictionaries catering to particular aspects of language, such as collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs.
2.1 Definitions: This section delves into the core component of monolingual dictionaries: definitions. It acknowledges the ongoing challenges in semantic research to create a universal system for meaning description, emphasizing the various methods employed by dictionaries to define lexemes and distinguish them from other related words. It notes the use of descriptive phrases, full-sentence definitions (like COBUILD definitions), synonyms, antonyms, paraphrases, pragmatic contextual information, and encyclopedic information in different dictionaries. The chapter highlights that a dictionary's goal isn't to capture the "real" meaning, but rather to present a meaning suitable for its intended users.
2.2 Intensional or Extensional Definitions: This section differentiates between intensional and extensional definitions of meaning. It explains that intensional definitions typically state the superordinate concept (genus proximum) alongside the definiendum (the word being defined), a common approach often combined with extensional descriptions.
Keywords
Lexical semantics, dictionary definition, monolingual dictionaries, meaning description, English language learners, polysemy, collocations, intensional definitions, extensional definitions, synonymy, antonymy.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a language-focused paper. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The preview is designed to give a detailed overview of the paper's content and approach.
What topics are covered in the paper?
The paper explores the methods dictionaries use to describe word meaning, concentrating on monolingual dictionaries and their strategies for conveying meaning to English learners. It examines the challenges of defining meaning and the diverse approaches dictionaries take to overcome these challenges. Specific topics include defining meaning in monolingual dictionaries, challenges of defining meaning for diverse audiences, approaches to defining meaning for English language learners, comparison of different dictionary approaches, and the role of context and usage in defining meaning.
What are the key themes of the paper?
The key themes revolve around the complexities of defining word meaning within dictionaries, particularly for diverse audiences like English language learners. The paper investigates various methods dictionaries employ, including definitions, intensional and extensional approaches, the handling of polysemy and collocations, and the overall goal of conveying meaning effectively.
What types of dictionaries are discussed?
The paper primarily focuses on monolingual dictionaries, highlighting prominent examples such as the OED, LDOCE, Collins, COBUILD, DAE, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, and DNE. It also acknowledges the existence of specialized dictionaries.
How does the paper approach the definition of meaning?
The paper delves into different methods of defining meaning, including the use of descriptive phrases, full-sentence definitions, synonyms, antonyms, paraphrases, pragmatic contextual information, and encyclopedic information. It distinguishes between intensional (defining by genus and differentia) and extensional (defining by listing examples) definitions.
What are the challenges in defining meaning for dictionaries?
The paper highlights the ongoing challenges in semantic research to create a universal system for meaning description. It emphasizes the difficulties of accurately capturing and conveying meaning to a wide audience with varying linguistic backgrounds and knowledge levels.
What is the role of context and usage in defining meaning?
The paper emphasizes the importance of context and usage in defining meaning. Dictionaries need to consider how words are used in actual language to accurately represent their meanings. This is linked to the discussion of collocations and the various ways different dictionaries handle context.
What are the chapter summaries?
The document provides summaries for each chapter, outlining the content and focus of each section. These summaries give a clear overview of the paper’s progression and argumentation.
What are the keywords associated with the paper?
Keywords include lexical semantics, dictionary definition, monolingual dictionaries, meaning description, English language learners, polysemy, collocations, intensional definitions, extensional definitions, synonymy, and antonymy.
What is the structure of the monolingual dictionary entries discussed?
The paper discusses the structure of monolingual dictionary entries, focusing on lemmata (the headwords) and their descriptions, highlighting the components involved in providing a comprehensive representation of a word's meaning and usage.
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- Christian Haas (Autor), 2014, The Different Ways of Describing Meaning in Monolingual Dictionaries, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/292912
