SUNScholar - Browsing by Author "Gouws, Rufus H."

Browsing by Author "Gouws, Rufus H."

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Article structures : moving from printed to e-dictionaries
(Bureau of the WAT, 2014) Gouws, Rufus H.
By means of an overview of certain aspects of article structures in printed dictionaries and with reference to some examples from e-dictionaries a number of features of article structures in e-dictionaries are discussed. Reference is made to the positioning of articles in article stretches and functional partial article stretches. Different structural components of articles, i.e. text seg-ments, comments and search zones are distinguished. The increased role of data-identifying entries as a type of non-typographical structural indicator in e-dictionaries receives attention as well as the fact that the traditional division of an article in two comments, typically a comment on form and a comment on semantics, cannot merely be maintained. The value of the cohesion resulting from the use of comments in printed dictionaries is much more restricted in e-dictionaries. The use of search zones and rapid access to these zones have a much more important role in the article structure of e-dictionaries. In the planning of e-dictionaries provision needs to be made for a multi-layered article structure with screenshots that display the data in a variety of search zones. Access to these search zones goes via structural indicators in an opening or further screenshot. Provision needs to be made for one lemma to occur in a comprehensive article but also in a number of restricted articles that can be retrieved from the same database. Users should also have the opportunity to design their own user profile that will allow them to consult dictionary articles structured according to their specific needs.
Aspekte van mikrostrukturele verskeidenheid en inkonsekwentheid
(Bureau of WAT, 2003) Gouws, Rufus H.
Dit is belangrik in enige woordeboek dat die mikrostrukturele aanbod sistematies en konsekwent moet wees. Gemotiveerde afwykings van die verstekstruktuur moet aan die gebruiker verklaar word. In hierdie artikel word aandag gegee aan verskillende tipes mikrostrukturele modelle wat in die metaleksikografie ontwikkel is, met die klem op die geïntegreerde en die niegeïntegreerde mikrostruktuur. Voorstelle word gedoen vir aanpassings in die niegeïntegreerde mikrostruktuur om 'n beter inligtingsoordrag tot gevolg te hê. Aan die hand van voorbeelde uit enkele Afrikaanse woordeboeke word gewys op die gevarieerde en inkonsekwente mikrostrukturele aanbod wat gevolg word. Die nadele van gemengde primitiewe mikrostrukture word bespreek en daar word aandag gegee aan die implikasies daarvan vir die adresseringstruktuur van 'n woordeboek. In hierdie verband word verskillende prosedures van afstandsadressering bespreek. Die teksverdigting wat dit meebring en die probleme wat gebruikers met die koördinering van koteksinskrywings en betekenisparafrases het, word beklemtoon. Aanbevelings word gedoen vir 'n mikrostruktuur wat groter erkenning gee aan die eise van 'n gebruikersgedrewe leksikografiese proses.
Developing the presentation of word formation in general monolingual dictionaries
(Bureau of the WAT, 2013) Bergenholtz, Henning; Gouws, Rufus H.
Word formation in the dictionary belongs, at the latest since the contribution of Mugdan (1984), to the topics frequently discussed by lexicographers. Unfortunately the results have not always been satisfactory. This applies both to the formulation of lexicographic theory and to the lexicographic practice because the lexicographic terms have the linguistic terms as point of departure and questions are put as to how these phenomena should be presented in dictionaries. Instead, one should rather ask which information needs dictionary users experience in which types of user situations and then decide where and how items giving word formation can be presented in order to benefit the envisaged target user of a given dictionary. The lexicographic practice is also in an unsatisfactory position with regard to items giving word formation because the typical polyfunctional dictionaries have too many items giving word formation for text reception problems and far too few for text production problems or for the real general knowledge needs regarding word formation in the specific language. This paper gives suggestions regarding the theoretical approaches that could lead to a better user-directed lexicographic practice.
The dictionary of lexicography and dictionary research
(Bureau of the WAT, 2009) Gouws, Rufus H.; Wiegand, Herbert Ernst
This article presents a brief explanation of the current state of the work on the Wörterbuch zur Lexikographie und Wörterbuchforschung. It is done in a way that gives a general impression of the structure of this multivolume specialised dictionary.
Discipline, dilemmas, decisions and data distribution in the planning and compilation of monolingual dictionaries
(Bureau of the WAT, 2006) Gouws, Rufus H.
Bilingual dictionaries play an important role in the standardisation of a language and are often the first dictionary type to be compiled for a given speech community. However, this may never lead to an underestimation of the role and importance of monolingual descriptive dictionaries in the early lexicographic development of a language. In the planning of first descriptive dictionaries the choice of the proper subtype and a consistent application of theoretical principles should be regarded as of extreme importance. Even the compilation of a restricted descriptive dictionary should be done according to similar theoretical principles as those applying to comprehensive dictionaries. This contribution indicates a number of dilemmas confronting the lexicographer during the compilation of restricted monolingual descriptive dictionaries. Attention is given to the role of lexicographic functions and the choice and presentation of lexicographic data, with special reference to the presentation of certain types of polysemous senses which are subjected to frequency of use restrictions. Emphasis is placed on the value of a heterogeneous article structure and a micro-architecture in the articles of restricted dictionaries.
Does Johnson's prescriptive approach still have a role to play in modern-day dictionaries?
(Bureau of the WAT, 2010) Gouws, Rufus H.; Potgieter, Liezl
Samuel Johnson's dictionary (1755) confirmed both the status of dictionaries as authoritative sources of (linguistic) knowledge and the prescriptive approach in lexicography. This approach prevailed for a long time. During the last decades the descriptive approach came to the fore, aptly supported by the increased reliance on lexicographic corpora. Modern-day lexicography has also witnessed the introduction of a third approach, i.e. the proscriptive approach, which includes features of both the prescriptive and the descriptive approach. This article investigates the occurrence of the prescriptive, descriptive and proscriptive approaches in modern-day dictionaries. A distinction is made between dictionaries focusing on language for general purposes and dictionaries focusing on languages for special purposes. It is shown that users rely on dictionaries as prescriptive reference sources and expect lexicographers to provide them with an answer to the specific question that prompted the dictionary consultation process. It is argued that knowledgeable dictionary users must be able to achieve an unambiguous retrieval of information and must be able to rely on the dictionary to satisfy their specific cognitive or communicative needs. Here the proscriptive approach plays an important role.
e-Dictionaries in a network of information tools in the e-Environment
(Bureau of the WAT, 2020) Bothma, Theo J. D.; Gouws, Rufus H.
Traditional dictionaries offer curated data to users. Users should therefore be able to find the correct data to solve their information need. However, users don't necessarily know the exact scope of lexicographic information. Dictionary articles can still demand considerable interpretation by the user to select the appropriate meaning or equivalent. In the e-environment, users can easily navigate between different e-sources. This is especially evident on various e-book platforms, where one can link multiple dictionaries and other sources to a text or search of the internet. Internet content is obviously not curated, and providing access to such data is therefore anathema to the traditional lexicographer. A traditional dictionary is the result of an application of data pushing procedures. The online environment enables the use of data pulling procedures that give users access to both curated and non-curated data. These issues are illustrated by means of a number of examples that show that a large number of different and disparate information sources are easily available to the user to satisfy any specific information need, and that the dictionary is one of a plethora of information sources. The information is therefore available on demand, without risking information overload. It is argued that, when optimising a network of information tools that constitutes a comprehensive search universe, the information retrieval structure should preferably have a circular network as application domain, rather than a linear continuum.
Enkele minder bekende Afrikaanse woordeboekmonumente
(Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, 2016-06) Gouws, Rufus H.
Woordeboeke weerspieël nie net die woordeskat van 'n taal nie, maar dra ook by tot die standaardisering van 'n taal. Dit geld sowel woordeboeke waarin algemene taal as dié waarin die vaktaal bewerk word. Die Afrikaanse leksikografiese praktyk vertoon 'n uitgebreide tipologiese verskeidenheid, wat bekende en minder bekende woordeboeke en woordeboeksoorte insluit. Elke woordeboek kan aanspraak maak op monumentstatus, alhoewel talle woordeboeke se rol in die leksikografiese ontwikkeling van Afrikaans nie genoegsaam erken word nie. In hierdie artikel is die fokus op enkele minder bekende woordeboeke wat wel monumente van en vir Afrikaans is. Daar word aandag gegee aan woordeboeke wat gemeenskapsgedrewe produkte is en onder meer blyke gee van die kreatiewe woordskeppingskrag van die Afrikaanse taalgemeenskap. Daarbenewens word daar ook gewys op vernuwende leksikografiese produkte wat saamgestel is om aan spesifieke leksikografiese behoeftes van hulle teikengebruikers te voldoen.
A functional approach to the choice between descriptive, prescriptive and proscriptive lexicography
(2010) Bergenholtz, Henning; Gouws, Rufus H.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In lexicography the concepts of prescription and description have been employed for a long time without there ever being a clear definition of the terms prescription/prescriptive and description/descriptive. This article gives a brief historical account of some of the early uses of these approaches in linguistics and lexicography and argues that, although they have primarily been interpreted as linguistic terms, there is a need for a separate and clearly defined lexicographic application. Contrary to description and prescription, the concept of proscription does not have a linguistic tradition but it has primarily been introduced in the field of lexicography. Different types of prescription, description and proscription are discussed with specific reference to their potential use in dictionaries with text reception and text production as functions. Preferred approaches for the different functions are indicated. It is shown how an optimal use of a prescriptive, descriptive or proscriptive approach could be impeded by a polyfunctional dictionary. Consequently arguments are given in favour of monofunctional dictionaries.
A general lexicographic model for a typological variety of dictionaries in African languages
(Bureau of the WAT, 2014) Faass, Gertrud; Bosch, Sonia E.; Gouws, Rufus H.
So far, there have been few descriptions on creating structures capable of storing lexicographic data, ISO 24613:2008 being one of the latest. Another one is by Spohr (2012), who designs a multifunctional lexical resource which is able to store data of different types of dictionaries in a user-oriented way. Technically, his design is based on the principle of a hierarchical XML/OWL (eXtensible Markup Language/Web Ontology Language) representation model. This article fol-lows another route in describing a model based on entities and relations between them; MySQL (usually referred to as: Structured Query Language) describes a database system of tables containing data and definitions of relations between them. The model was developed in the context of the project "Scientific eLexicography for Africa" and the lexicographic database to be built thereof will be implemented with MySQL. The principles of the ISO model and of Spohr's model are adhered to with one major difference in the implementation strategy: we do not place the lemma in the centre of attention, but the sense description — all other elements, including the lemma, depend on the sense description. This article also describes the contained lexicographic data sets and how they have been collected from different sources. As our aim is to compile several prototypical internet dictionaries (a monolingual Northern Sotho dictionary, a bilingual learners' Xhosa–English dictionary and a bilingual Zulu–English dictionary), we describe the necessary microstructural elements for each of them and which principles we adhere to when designing different ways of accessing them. We plan to make the model and the (empty) database with all graphical user interfaces that have been developed, freely available by mid-2015.
How to do language policy with dictionaries
(Bureau of the WAT, 2006) Bergenholtz, Henning; Gouws, Rufus H.
The lexicographical presentation of terms from the field of language planning often lacks clear and unambiguous distinction and proper explanation. Too often dictionaries even fail to include these terms in the lemma list, and some central terms have not been treated in any general or special purpose dictionary. This article utilises results from research in the field of language policy to make suggestions for the lexicographical presentation and treatment of a number of relevant terms. The emphasis on a distinction between language policy as applied to the intralingual and the interlingual level and the motivation for the introduction of the notion of a communication policy should help lexicographers to give a more comprehensive account of terms from this field and it will also benefit scholars in the field of language policy. A second aspect of this article is the discussion of ways in which dictionaries participate in the implementation of language policy. It is indicated that lexicographers make ever so many decisions of a language political nature. In this regard the lexicographical influence of issues like linguistic hegemony and language purism are discussed. Suggestions are also made for future lexicographical procedures.
Die leksikografiese aanbieding en behandeling van vaste uitdrukkings
(Bureau of the WAT, 2013) Gouws, Rufus H.
Vir leksikograwe is dit belangrik om in hulle besluite oor die insluiting van vaste uitdrukkings in hulle woordeboeke vertroud te wees met die status van vaste uitdrukkings as volwaardige leksikale items. Hierdie status behoort 'n invloed te hê op die manier waarop vaste uitdrukkings aangebied en behandel word. Na aanleiding van die behandeling in bepaalde woordeboeke word daar in hierdie artikel aangevoer dat vaste uitdrukkings lemmastatus in woordeboeke moet kry en wel deur as sublemmata opgeneem te word in 'n geneste teksblok wat geheg word aan die artikel van 'n lemma wat 'n sleutelwoord uit die vaste uitdrukking verteenwoordig. Die behandeling moet van 'n omvattender aard wees as wat tans die geval is in algemene woordeboeke. 'n Fokus op leksikografiese funksies vra om die insluiting van sekere aanduidertipes in die behandeling. Dit sluit onder meer etimologiese data in, asook eksplisiete leiding ten opsigte van kultuurgebonde vaste uitdrukkings.
'n Leksikografiese datatrekkingstruktuur vir aanlyn woordeboeke
(Bureau of the WAT, 2018) Gouws, Rufus H.
In the field of lexicography the transition from printed to online dictionaries has had a significant influence on numerous aspects of both lexicographic theory and the lexicographic practice. In the continued development of lexicographic theory this influence has to be formulated in order to present guidelines for the optimal application of the resulting adaptations in the lexicographic practice. Dictionary structures should be investigated to determine which structures can be maintained in the new medium, which structures need to be adapted and which new structures are coming to the fore. The focus in this article is on adaptations in lexicographic structures. Reference is made to structures of which the adaptations have already been discussed in metalexicography. The main emphasis is on different types of data distribution structures in online dictionaries. Provision is made for a comprehensive data distribution structure that can be employed in dictionary portals to give the user access to dictionary-external sources. The need of users for more freedom to select their required data, leads to proposals for a new structure, namely the data pulling structure. By employing this structure users can access the internet as lexicographic corpus from any point in an online dictionary to retrieve from the data there the information they require in a specific situation of use. The data pulling structure confirms the status of dictionaries as integrated information instruments and puts them within the scope of an over-arching data structure.
A lexicographic approach to language policy and recommendations for future dictionaries
(Bureau of the WAT, 2008) Tarp, Sven; Gouws, Rufus H.
Language policy prevails at different levels and its formulation typically results in a prescriptive presentation of data. In their dictionaries, lexicographers have to respond to the decisions of language policy makers. In this regard dictionaries can adhere to a strict prescriptive policy by including only the prescribed forms. Dictionaries can also give a descriptive account of language use without making any recommendations or claims of correctness. Thirdly, dictionaries can be prescriptive by recommending certain forms, even if such a recommendation goes against the prescribed forms. This article offers an overview of different levels of language policy and the principles of prescription, description and proscription. Examples are given to illustrate certain lexicographic applications of prescription. It is emphasised that access to relevant data is important to dictionary users. Consequently the lexicographic application of proscription is discussed as a viable alternative to prescription. It is suggested that proscription, in its different possible applications, can lead to a lexicographic presentation that benefits the user and that contributes to the satisfaction of the functions of a given dictionary.
Monolingual and bilingual learners' dictionaries
(Bureau of the WAT, 2004) Gouws, Rufus H.
When deciding on the best learners' dictionary for a specific user and a specific situation of usage one often has to make a choice between a monolingual and a bilingual learners' dictionary. This article discusses some aspects of the user-driven approach so prevalent in modern-day lexicographic thought, focuses broadly on dictionary typology and takes a closer look at monolingual and bilingual learners' dictionaries. Some problems users experience when learning a new language, e.g. language distortion and problems related to the phenomenon of false friends, especially in closely related languages, are mentioned. It is indicated that a typological hybrid dictionary could assist certain users. The importance of an unambiguous identification of the relevant lexicographic functions is emphasised and the notions of function condensation and function merging are introduced. It is shown that the typological choice should be determined by a function-based approach to dictionary usage.
Niching as a macrostructural procedure
(Bureau of the WAT, 2002) Gouws, Rufus H.
Niching is a macrostructural procedure of textual condensation which results in different dictionary articles being clustered into one textblock as subarticles headed by sublemmata. This article offers an identification and critical discussion of different types of niching. Examples from dictionaries are used to examine problems which dictionary users experience as a result of the application of niching. The emphasis is on problems regarding the search route of users via the outer access structure of dictionaries. A distinction is made between single niching and multiple niching. Different aspects of multiple niching receive attention, e.g. the use of remote and exclusively remote multiple niching. The focus is also on an increased degree of textual condensation resulting from these procedures as well as problems in the domain of the access structure. Attention is drawn to the influence of the inclusion of homonym pairs on the application of multiple niching. Problems arising from an inconsistent application of multiple niching are identified and solutions are suggested for these problems in order to enhance the quality of the lexicographic practice. It is shown that a user-driven dictionary would rather opt for the application of procedures of single niching and first level nesting instead of multiple niching.
On the metalexicographic genre of dictionary reviews, with specific reference to LexicoNordica and Lexikos
(Bureau of the WAT, 2016) Bergenholtz, Henning; Gouws, Rufus H.
Wiegand (1984) introduced dictionary criticism as a formal component of a general theory of lexicography. Since then many scholars have focused on various aspects of dictionary criticism. In this article a distinction is made between two major types of dictionary criticism, i.e. the review of metalexicographical literature and the review of dictionaries. In the review of dictionaries different types can be identified, i.e. a short discussion without a critical evaluation, a more comprehensive review, a review article, reaction to a review or a review article, a peer review and the evaluation of a dictionary as a part of a bigger metalexicographical contribution. This article gives a brief discussion of the scope of dictionary criticism and looks at some criteria for dictionary reviews before focusing on aspects of dictionary reviews in the Scandinavian journal of lexicography LexicoNordica and the South African lexicography journal Lexikos. A comparison is made between the reviews in these two journals, identifying striking similarities and differences. It is also shown that the reviews in Lexikos frequently refer to topics that are not as relevant to LexicoNordica. This is due to the fact that dictionaries reflect something of the linguistic and cultural environment where they are published. Proposals are made to enhance the quality of reviews in Lexikos and to help ensure a stronger theoretical approach to reviews as a genre that elevates the metalexicographic discourse and improves the dictionary culture of a given community.
Oor die verhouding tussen woordeboekstrukture, woordeboekinhoud en leksikografiese funksies
(Bureau of the WAT, 2005) Gouws, Rufus H.
Over the last few decades, research in the field of metalexicography has undergone a significant broadening of scope. The original focus had chiefly been on the contents of dictionaries. In the course of time, the focus also included different dictionary structures and the scope of current metalexicographic research accommodates lexicographic functions. These three components of lexicography are all relevant in the planning and compilation of user-driven dictionaries. In this article, it is shown that the point of departure in the planning of a new dictionary should in the first instance not be an existing dictionary. The target user should constitute the point of departure of the whole lexicographic process. This should lead to the identification of lexicographic functions, the choice of lexicographic data and the selection of relevant dictionary structures. These structures should present the data in such a way that the user is able to achieve an optimal retrieval of information. At the same time the lexicographic functions of the dictionary should be accomplished in an unproblematic way.
Op pad na 'n omvattende woordeboekkultuur in die digitale era
(Bureau of the WAT, 2016) Gouws, Rufus H.
Following a brief introduction this paper offers a discussion of certain aspects of the development of theoretical lexicography. Specific attention is drawn to among others different phases in this development, provision that has to be made for the use of different lexicographic tools and also the user-perspective. The main focus of this contribution is on the development of a comprehensive dictionary culture that unites the traditional division between user-friendliness and dictionary culture in one encompassing comprehensive dictionary culture. A bidirectional relation between society and lexicography is discussed and it is indicated that certain adaptations need to be made in order to improve the comprehensive dictionary culture. This includes both lexicographic and extra-lexicographic adaptations. The distinction between a collective and an individual comprehensive dictionary culture is discussed and it is suggested that dictionary culture should not be a separate main component of dictionary research but should rather be integrated into all four existing main components. Many potential dictionary users within the digital era belong to Generation Z. Some features of this generation are briefly discussed. The need is indicated for an adaptation in lexicography that could motivate this generation to use dictionaries. It is argued that dictionary didactics should play an important role in establishing a comprehensive dictionary culture within Generation Z. This dictionary culture should also be directed at other reference sources.
Outer texts in bilingual dictionaries
(Bureau of the WAT, 2004) Gouws, Rufus H.
Dictionaries often display a central list bias with little or no attention to the use of outer texts. This article focuses on dictionaries as text compounds and carriers of different text types. Utilising either a partial or a complete frame structure, a variety of outer text types can be used to enhance the data distribution structure of a dictionary and to ensure a better information retrieval by the intended target user. A distinction is made between primary frame structures and secondary frame structures and attention is drawn to the use of complex outer texts and the need of an extended complex outer text with its own table of contents to guide the user to the relevant texts in the complex outer text. It is emphasised that outer texts need to be planned in a meticulous way and that they should participate in the lexicographic functions of the specific dictionary, both knowledge-orientated and communication-orientated functions, to ensure a transtextual functional approach.

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