On the use(fulness) of paper and electronic dictionaries

Dziemianko, Anna

doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199654864.003.0015

Cited by 55 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In many instances, the traditional dictionary has been combined with such resources as conjugation and translation tools thus converging into a new kind of entity, one that may contain much more information but at the same time, conversely, be more difficult to navigate or read because of poorly-conceived links or advertising (see Dziemianko, 2012b). Dziemianko (2012a) provides a useful overview concerning the "typical" features of the modern electronic dictionary. High search speeds are an obvious advantage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Language learner perspectives on the functionality and use of electronic language dictionaries

Levy¹,

Steel²

2015

ReCALL

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This paper investigates the extent of electronic dictionary use by language learners in an Australian university. All students in the study are formally enrolled in language courses across ten languages at first, second or third year level. The study places a particular emphasis on gauging student perceptions of the beneficial aspects of electronic dictionaries as judged by learners themselves in circumstances where they are able to act independently. As these benefits are often described in terms of usability and functionality, these particular terms are defined and introduced in the literature review, and then later they are employed to help structure and describe the results.The arguments for the discussion are supported by the use of empirical data taken from a largescale survey conducted in 2011 (n = 587) where comments from students were obtained on why and how dictionary-type resources were accessed and used (see also Steel & Levy, 2013). The paper restricts itself to the quantitative and qualitative data gathered on mobile phones, translators, dictionaries and web conjugators and related items (e.g. discussion forums). The particular functions that students use and the ways in which they use them are described and categorised, with the discussion supported by student comments.The data exhibits a remarkable range of resources available to students to look up unknown words or to see translations and, consequently, our understanding of what exactly an electronic dictionary might comprise is challenged. Many students' comments demonstrate a sophistication and knowledge about the effective use of these dictionary tools together with a keen awareness of their limitations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Language learner perspectives on the functionality and use of electronic language dictionaries

Levy¹,

Steel²

2015

ReCALL

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“…the Involvement Load Hypothesis: Laufer & Hulstijn, 2001). However, as pointed out by Dziemianko (2012) in a discussion of the effects of paper vs electronic dictionaries on word retention, deeper processing should not be equated with laborious look-up processes typically associated with printed dictionaries, as retention can be higher when using electronic rather than paper-based dictionaries. Dziemianko argues that depth of processing is triggered by attention, which "does not necessarily correlate with the effort put into dictionary look-up, which is often performed quite automatically.…”

Section: Dictionaries and Language Learningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dictionaries as aids for language learning

Boulton

Sylvie

2016

International Handbook of Modern Lexis and Lexicography

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Research has consistently shown that a few thousand word families can be enough to understand most written or spoken text (e.g. Nation, 2006;Van Zeeland & Schmitt, 2013). The implication is that these frequent items need to be learned -and to be learned thoroughly. However, diminishing returns set in, and accessible tools are required for the many tens of thousands of other items. Dictionaries are among the most widely-used tools for foreign and second (L2) language learning, and can help with both frequent and infrequent items. This chapter begins with a discussion of dictionaries themselves in relation to L2 use, and the main issues affecting their development over the last few decades in particular. These include the increasing use of empirical data, especially in the form of corpora, and the appearance of monolingual learner dictionaries in addition to bilingual and other dictionary types. It then moves on to a discussion of research into how dictionaries are used by non-native speakers (NNSs), especially as a reference resource for encoding and decoding, but also their impact on language learning itself.

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“…However, the "current e-dictionaries too often do not live up to the expectations of their users", as "too many lexicographic e-products were developed without any influence from innovative theoretic suggestions" (Gouws 2014: 156-157). Quite a number of empirical studies show that the electronic dictionaries are not necessarily advantageous over their paper counterparts in terms of the provision of meaning to serve different learners (Chen 2010;Dziemianko 2012). Hence, it is a propitious moment to identify the target users' needs for meaning information in a specific user situation when discussing the provision of the customized services for users.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Representing the Cultural Dimension of Meaning in Learner's Dictionaries — From the Perspective of Chinese EFL Learners in L2 Reception

Xue

2017

LEXI

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Abstract:Meaning in dictionaries ranks as the most frequent data type consulted by languagelearners. An extensive range of devices have been developed to represent the meaning of lexical items in learner's dictionaries. Starting from interpreting foreign language learners' lexicographic needs in specific user situations, this paper aims to examine the implications of customizing definitions from the cultural perspective with specific reference to Chinese learners of English. The purpose of this paper is three-fold: i) to understand the status quo of the lexicographic practice of English learner's dictionaries in terms of representing the cultural dimension of a lexical item; ii) to interpret the impacts of foreign language learners' language and cultural background on their lexicographic needs in terms of cultural aspects in L2 reception; iii) to address the identified problems with present lexicographic practices through model articles. It is expected that the findings in this paper can shed some light on interpreting other ethnic groups of learners' lexicographic needs in different situations and contribute to improving the services of learner's dictionaries in the future as well. Keywords: CHINESE EFL LEARNERS, CULTURAL DIMENSION, L2 RECEPTION, LEARNER'S DICTIONARIESOpsomming: Die weergee van die kulturele dimensie van betekenis in aanleerderswoordeboeke -uit die oogpunt van Chinese EVT-leerders in L2-resepsie. Betekenis in woordeboeke word beskou as die mees frekwente datasoort wat deur taalaanleerders opgesoek word. 'n Omvattende reeks hulpmiddels is ontwikkel om die betekenis van leksikale items in aanleerderswoordeboeke weer te gee. Hierdie artikel begin by die interpretasie van vreemdetaalleerders se leksikografiese behoeftes in spesifieke gebruikersituasies en beoog om die implikasies van die pasmaking van definisies uit 'n kulturele perspektief te ondersoek met spesifieke verwysing na Chinese aanleerders van Engels. Die doel van hierdie artikel is drievoudig: i) om die status quo van die leksikografiese praktyk van Engelse aanleerderswoordeboeke te verstaan ten opsigte van die weergee van die kulturele dimensie van 'n leksikale item; ii) om die uitwerking van vreemdetaalleerders se taalkundige en kulturele agtergrond op hul leksikografiese behoeftes te interpreteer ten opsigte van kulturele aspekte by L2-resepsie; iii) om die geïdentifi-seerde probleme met die huidige leksikografiese praktyke deur modelartikels aan te spreek. Daar

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On the use(fulness) of paper and electronic dictionaries

Cited by 55 publications

References 33 publications

Language learner perspectives on the functionality and use of electronic language dictionaries

Language learner perspectives on the functionality and use of electronic language dictionaries

Dictionaries as aids for language learning

Representing the Cultural Dimension of Meaning in Learner's Dictionaries — From the Perspective of Chinese EFL Learners in L2 Reception

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