Title: Subject-field Labelling in Monolingual Learner's Dictionaries: The Gap between the Current State and Dictionary User's Expectations
Abstract: The aim of this article is to present the subject-field or domain labels used in monolingual learner’s dictionaries. Special attention is paid to the analysis of similarities and differences between subject-field labels in different dictionaries and to the rationale for including certain subject-field labels. The first part of the article discusses the development of subject-field labels in OALD and LDOCE and pays attention to the differences in the lists of subject-field labels in print dictionaries and dictionaries on CD-ROM. The numbers of subjectfield labels listed in the print versions and on the CD-ROMs differ in some dictionaries, but an investigation into the microstructure shows that the same subject-field labels are used in each print edition and in its CD-ROM version. Another observation is the use of closely related subject-field labels in some dictionaries. Further, the results of an analysis of subject-field labels across dictionaries are presented and discussed. The conclusion is that subject-field labels should be defined and explained in detail in the front matter of each dictionary, and they should be used more consistently throughout the dictionary. Apart from that, there should be no discrepancies between the print and electronic versions.
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot