Encyclopedic Learners' Dictionaries: A Study of their Design Features from the User Perspective

Description

This book describes and evaluates the usefulness of a recently developed lexicographical hybrid: the encyclopedic learner's dictionary (ELD). First, the ELD is analysed from a typological perspective. Two encyclopedic learners' dictionaries are dissected and compared, and a checklist of ELD design features is drawn up. A survey of previous user-based studies is then provided, followed by a description of the questionnaire-based methodology used in this user-centred investigation. Next, a critical analysis of each ELD design feature is provided. Finally, the implications of this research for the future production of ELDs are presented as a checklist of recommendations. Acknowledgements Abbreviations Table of Figures Introduction Chapter 1: Describing a New Lexicographical Hybrid: the Encyclopedic Learner’s Dictionary 1.1. Exploring the Roots of the Encyclopedic Learner’s Dictionary 1.2. Metalexicographical Discussion of Encyclopedic Reference Works 1.3. The Similarities and Differences between Dictionaries and Encyclopedias 1.3.1. Non-specialist Definitions of ‘Dictionary’ and ‘Encyclopedia’ 1.3.2. Dictionary and Encyclopedia Tendencies 1.4. The Concept of Encyclopedicity 1.4.1. Encyclopedic Reference Works 1.4.2. Encyclopedic Information 1.4.3. Encyclopedic Entries 1.4.4. Optional Encyclopedic Information’ and ‘Compulsory Defining Information’ 1.4.5. Prototype Theory and Encyclopedic Information 1.4.6. Encyclopedic Reference Works and Ideology 1.5. The Encyclopedic Tradition in Dictionaries 1.6. The Concept of the Encyclopedic Dictionary 1.6.1. The Hybrid Status of the Encyclopedic Dictionary in Lexicographical Typology 1.6.2. A Contemporary Example of an Encyclopedic Dictionary 1.7. The Concept of the Learner’s Dictionary 1.8. The Concept of the Encyclopedic Learner’s Dictionary 1.9. LDELC and OALED: Two Examples of Encyclopedic Learners’ Dictionaries 1.10. Envisaged Users and Uses of Encyclopedic Learners’ Dictionaries 1.11. Sources of Encyclopedic Learners’ Dictionaries 1.12. Isolating Encyclopedic Features: The Main Components of Encyclopedic and Non-encyclopedic Learners’ Dictionaries Compared 1.12.1. The Main Components of LDELC and LDOCE2 Compared 1.12.2. The Main Components of OALED and OALD4 Compared 1.12.3. A Checklist of ELD Design Features 1.13. Summary Chapter 2: Assessing Encyclopedic Learners’ Dictionaries from the User Perspective 2.1. Exploring the Users’ Perspective on the Encyclopedic Learner’s Dictionary 2.2. Previous User-based Lexicographical Research 2.3. Methodological Approaches to User Research 2.4. The User Survey Questionnaire 2.5. The Informants 2.5.1. Users’ Reasons for Choosing Particular Learners’ Dictionaries 2.5.2. Main Uses of Learners’ Dictionaries 2.5.3. Main Types of Information Consulted 2.5.4. Attitudes towards the Inclusion of Encyclopedic Information in Learners’ Dictionaries 2.6. Summary Chapter 3: Design Features of Encyclopedic Learners’ Dictionaries 3.1. A User-Informed Analysis and Evaluation of ELD Design Features 3.2. Types of Encyclopedic Entry in ELDs 3.3. The Extent of Revision from Non-encyclopedic MLD to Encyclopedic Learner’s Dictionary 3.4. The Cultural Scope of Encyclopedic Information 3.5. The Subject Scope of Encyclopedic Information 3.6. Biographical Entries 3.6.1. User Preferences for LDELC or OALED Biographical Entries 3.6.2. Usefulness of Specific Types of Biographical Entry 3.7. Proper Noun Entries 3.8. Large Encyclopedic Articles 3.8.1. Attitudes towards the Inclusion of Large Encyclopedic Articles in Learners’ Dictionaries 3.8.2. LDELC’s ‘Features’ 3.8.3. OALED’s ‘Special Feature Articles’ 3.8.4. A Comparative Analysis of Large Encyclopedic Articles in LDELC and OALED 3.8.5. User Preferences for Large Encyclopedic Articles in LDELC or OALED 3.9. Short Cultural Notes 3.9.1. The Function of Short Cultural Notes 3.9.2. Connotative Information in Short Cultural Notes 3.9.3. Cultural Information in Short Cultural Notes 3.9.4. A Comparative Analysis of Short Cultural Notes in LDELC and OALED 3.9.5. User Preferences for Short Cultural Notes in LDELC or OALED 3.10. Illustrations 3.10.1. LDELC’s Colour Illustrations and Illustrated Information Pages 3.10.2. Maps 3.11. Encyclopedic Components in the Back Matter 3.11.1. Usefulness of Specific Back Matter Components 3.12. Summary Conclusion Implications for the Future Production of Encyclopedic Learners’ Dictionaries Implications for Future Lexicographical Research Bibliography Cited Dictionaries and Encyclopedias Other Literature Appendix 1: User Survey Questionnaire Appendix 2: Headwords in the X, Y, and Z Sections of LDELC and LDOCE2 Appendix 3: Headwords in the X, Y, and Z Sections of OALED and OALD4 Appendix 4: Headwords in the X, Y, and Z Sections of LDELC, LDOCE2, OALED, and OALD4 Appendix 5: Headwords in the X, Y, and Z Sections of LDELC (but not LDOCE2) and OALED (but not OALD4) Appendix 6: Biographical Entries in the M Sections of LDELC and OALED Appendix 7: Table of Cultural Notes in LDELC and Mini-notes in OALED Abstracts Résumé Français Deutsche Zusammenfassung