Talking about encyclopaedic information in learner‘s dictionaries might lead to a never ending debate whether learner‘s dictionaries should include such additional information and at the same time to what extent. In fact Herbert Andreas Welker‘s survey of empirical studies concerning the dictionary use also helps to point out that there is little consent when it comes to this debate.
As a matter of fact it is quite difficult to distinguish where exactly an entry becomes encyclopaedic or not. Therefore another special form of learner‘s dictionaries also is important to be mentioned when talking about encyclopaedic information: the encyclopaedic learner‘s dictionaries. Since those kind of dictionaries are somewhere in between a encyclopaedia and a dictionary, Martin Stark also likes to call them „Lexicographical Hybrid“ (Stark 1999: 3). In order to analyse encyclopaedic entries in learners‘s dictionaries it therefore seems to be inevitably regarding those encyclopaedic learner‘s dictionaries as well. As a consequence this paper will briefly illustrate some general information of learner‘s dictionaries as such. As a next step a closer look will be taken at the distinctive features of the encyclopaedic entries within learner‘s dictionaries and at the encyclopaedic learner‘s dictionaries and their role in language teaching and learning.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. General information on learner‘s dictionaries and encyclopaedicity
2.1 The idea of the learner‘s dictionary
2.2 The idea of the encyclopaedic learner‘s dictionary
2.3 What makes encyclopaedic information encyclopaedic
2.4 Encyclopaedic tradition in English dictionaries
3. Encyclopaedic learner‘s dictionaries
3.1 Examples of encyclopaedic learner‘s dictionaries
3.1.1 The Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture
3.1.2 The Oxford Advanced Learner‘s Encyclopaedic Dictionary
3.2 Different types of encyclopaedic entries
3.2.1 Proper noun entries
3.2.2 Large encyclopaedic articles and their value for the learner
3.3 Comparing examples on the basis of those dictionaries
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the role and integration of encyclopaedic information within learner's dictionaries, investigating how these "lexicographical hybrids" support foreign language acquisition. It examines the distinction between linguistic and encyclopaedic content, evaluates specific dictionary examples, and addresses the challenge of bridging cultural gaps through dictionary design.
- Development and history of the encyclopaedic learner's dictionary
- Differentiation between dictionaries and encyclopaedias in a pedagogical context
- Analysis of overt and covert encyclopaedic entry types
- Comparative study of Longman and Oxford encyclopaedic editions
- The importance of cultural background knowledge in language learning
Excerpt from the Book
3.2.1 Proper noun entries
In contrast to the covertly encyclopaedic entries, entries with proper nouns are an example for overtly encyclopaedic entries. Unlike in „normal“ monolingual dictionaries where the compilers generally refuse to include proper nouns thinking of them in a way to be explicitly encyclopaedic, there are some reasons that make their inclusion in a learner‘s dictionary quite useful. First of all Stark (1999: 114) emphasises that their inclusion helps students to understand „the status of proper nouns as valid elements of language“ and secondly it is necessary „to explain their allusive and generic meanings.“ As a first example he talks about the necessity for learner‘s of a foreign language to get linguistic information on proper nouns as well as about any other kind of lexical unit.
By compiling some convincing examples from different authors he illustrates that proper names for example also need to be explained in reference to „the sex of denotation of words“ (1999: 114). Moreover Svensén (1993: 52) gives a very convincing example of a proper name that should be integrated into a learner‘s dictionary in order to make the student aware of an idiomatic language use. The name of Fleet Street is nowadays often used to talk about the London press in general since most of the important London newspapers have their offices in this street. Another very important aspect about including proper names in learner‘s dictionaries has a very pragmatic background. For students as learner‘s of English as a foreign language it is often very difficult to deal with English exceptions on geographical locations.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Outlines the ongoing debate regarding the inclusion of encyclopaedic information in learner's dictionaries and establishes the research focus on "lexicographical hybrids."
2. General information on learner‘s dictionaries and encyclopaedicity: Defines the core concepts of learner's dictionaries versus encyclopaedic dictionaries and explores the tradition of encyclopaedic content in English lexicography.
3. Encyclopaedic learner‘s dictionaries: Provides a comparative analysis of the Longman and Oxford encyclopaedic dictionaries, examining their structure, target users, and the different types of entries provided.
4. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, suggesting that while both examined dictionaries have limitations, they are essential tools for providing the cultural context necessary for language learning.
Keywords
Learner's dictionaries, Encyclopaedic information, Lexicographical hybrid, Cultural background, Language acquisition, Proper nouns, Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture, Oxford Advanced Learner's Encyclopaedic Dictionary, Lexicography, Cultural content, Linguistic information, Reference works, Dictionary design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The publication investigates the integration and utility of encyclopaedic information within monolingual dictionaries intended for foreign learners of English.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
It covers the definition of encyclopaedic entries, the historical development of these dictionaries, the comparison of specific commercial editions, and the pedagogical value of cultural context.
What is the central research question?
The work seeks to determine how and to what extent encyclopaedic information should be included in learner's dictionaries to support the acquisition of both linguistic and cultural competency.
Which methodology is employed in the work?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, reviewing existing lexicographical literature and comparing the structure and content of the Longman and Oxford encyclopaedic learner's dictionaries.
What is addressed in the main body of the text?
The main body focuses on distinguishing between overt and covert encyclopaedic entries, analyzing the treatment of proper nouns, and reviewing the efficacy of "special feature articles" within the dictionaries.
What are the characterizing keywords of this study?
Key terms include Lexicographical hybrid, Encyclopaedic learner's dictionaries, Cultural background, Dictionary design, and Foreign language acquisition.
Why are proper noun entries considered important for learners?
Proper nouns are essential because they explain allusive and generic meanings, helping students understand cultural references and idiomatic language that would otherwise remain opaque.
How does the author evaluate the "Special Feature Articles"?
The author finds that while these articles provide valuable cultural insights, their utility is heavily dependent on the structural user-friendliness of the specific dictionary edition.
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- Fabian Zschiesche (Autor:in), 2011, Encyclopaedic information in learner‘s dictionaries, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/368119
