This book is the first comprehensive monograph on the Function Theory of Lexicography, which originated at the Aarhus School of Business (Aarhus University). Function Theory considers dictionaries to be tools that are constructed for assisting specific users with punctual needs in specific usage situations, e.g. communicative-oriented situations and cognitive-oriented situations. The book's main focus is on defending the independent academic status of lexicography and its corollary: The process of designing, compiling and updating (specialised) online dictionaries needs a theoretical framework that addresses general and specific aspects. The former are common to all types of information tools, the latter are mainly dependent on the media for which the information tool is constructed and their specific target users. This books offers both aspects and moves from the highest level of abstraction to very detailed aspects of lexicographic work, e.g. how to convert an originally-conceived polyfunctional online dictionary into several monofunctional usage-based ones. The book illustrates that the theory and the methodology currently used by advocates of the Function Theory of Lexicography offers better results than other approaches and therefore makes its case for proposing the Function Theory for terminological/terminographical work.

The need for constructing a lexicographical theory with a particular focus on specialised dictionaries for learners is well documented in recent publications. This will imply paying attention to, at least, four basic lexicographic categories: learners; the learner's situation; the learner's needs; dictionary assistance. In one or other way, these categories are analysed in this book, whose eleven chapters are grouped into three parts. Part 1 reflects on some of the main ideas defended by the function theory of lexicography, perhaps the theoretical framework that has paid more attention to specialised lexicography. Part 2 presents some proposals that have already being explored in the field of general learner's dictionary and must be incorporated into specialised metalexicography: cultural aspects; figurative meaning; the inclusion of grammatical information; the use of corpora. Part 3 introduces the state of play regarding specialised dictionaries in China and offers some ideas for coping with the proliferation of terminological glossaries in Internet. The book also describes Enrique Alcaraz's academic achievements, together with some personal anecdotes, and a personal short tribute to his memory.

The Routledge Handbook of Lexicography provides a comprehensive overview of the major approaches to lexicography and their applications within the field. This Handbook features key case studies and cutting-edge contributions from an international range of practitioners, teachers, and researchers. Analysing the theory and practice of compiling dictionaries within the digital era, the 47 chapters address the core issues of: The foundations of lexicography, and its interactions with other disciplines including Corpus Linguistics and Information Science; Types of dictionaries, for purposes such as translation and teaching; Innovative specialised dictionaries such as the Oenolex wine dictionary and the Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language; Lexicography and world languages, including Arabic, Hindi, Russian, Chinese, and Indonesian; The future of lexicography, including the use of the Internet, user participation, and dictionary portals. The Routledge Handbook of Lexicography is essential reading for researchers and students working in this area.

The Routledge Handbook of Lexicography provides a comprehensive overview of the major approaches to lexicography and their applications within the field. This Handbook features key case studies and cutting-edge contributions from an international range of practitioners, teachers, and researchers. Analysing the theory and practice of compiling dictionaries within the digital era, the 47 chapters address the core issues of: The foundations of lexicography, and its interactions with other disciplines including Corpus Linguistics and Information Science; Types of dictionaries, for purposes such as translation and teaching; Innovative specialised dictionaries such as the Oenolex wine dictionary and the Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language; Lexicography and world languages, including Arabic, Hindi, Russian, Chinese, and Indonesian; The future of lexicography, including the use of the Internet, user participation, and dictionary portals. The Routledge Handbook of Lexicography is essential reading for researchers and students working in this area.

This book looks at current research and future directions in e-lexicography. Online dictionaries and reference tools are increasingly prevalent in a digitized and internet-led era in language study that has embraced computational linguistics. This book responds with theoretical and practical analysis of key topics, from a global range of contributors. Since COBUILD in the 1980s, lexicographers have found it essential to engage with and utilize electronic computational tools. Internet dictionaries, online reference tools and even search engine optimization demand a knowledge of electronic lexicography and force a reassessment of the field. This volume looks at, amongst other topics: Polyfunctional versus monofunctional dictionary tools Developing theories of lexicography for electronic mediums Distinguishing between the database and the dictionary Online dictionaries not as data repositories but as sophisticated search engines This volume will appeal to scholars inlexicography and to practicing lexicographers.