AFRILEX
Newsletter 7 – February 2004
Compiler:
E. Taljard
·
TshwaneLex in use at several of South
Africa’s National Lexicography Units
·
Die Etimologiewoordeboek van Afrikaans
(EWA) in gedrukte en elektroniese format
·
Isihlathululi-mezwi
sesiNdebele as fully recognized Dictionary Unit
·
Online Dictionary Interface Sesotho sa Leboa –
English
·
News from the Xitsonga National Lexicography
Unit
·
Van ossewa na sneltrein:
die ontwikkeling van die Elektroniese WAT
|
TshwaneLex in use at several of South
Africa’s National Lexicography Units |
Dear AFRILEX Members,
As announced in the PanSALB Newsletter
of June 2003, David Joffe and Gilles-Maurice de Schryver, with hands-on advice
from Salmina Nong and D.J. Prinsloo, have created a brand-new software
application for the compilation of modern dictionaries and terminology lists.
The program is known as TshwaneLex, derived from Tshwane
‘Pretoria’ and lexicography. TshwaneLex is already in use for the
compilation of mono- and bilingual dictionaries at several of South Africa’s National
Lexicography Units, and copies have been acquired by Macmillan, as well as
by a number of lexicography projects based in Europe. For the benefit of those
NLUs and private dictionary compilers who are still considering whether or not
to store their lexicographic gems in TshwaneLex, we would like to briefly
introduce the software here.
From the outset it is good to know that
TshwaneLex supports Unicode throughout (see Annex 1),
which means that it can handle virtually all of the world’s languages. In the
South African context this means that the so-called ‘special characters’ for
Tshivenda can simply be inserted by means of straightforward keystrokes.
Specific customisations for the African languages have also been
implemented, such as provisions to deal with noun class systems. TshwaneLex
further includes features such as immediate article preview, customisable
fields, automatic cross-reference tracking, automated lemma reversal, online
and electronic dictionary modules, export to Microsoft Word format, the ability
to link sound recordings to dictionary fields, dictionary error/integrity
checks, automated backups, a filter function (see Annex 2),
and teamwork (network) support. TshwaneLex also efficiently handles large
databases, and a search function allows the entire database to be rapidly
searched for some given text. Search options such as case-sensitivity and ‘find
whole word only’ are available. More advanced ‘regular expressions’ may also be
used in the search function.
A primary design goal has been to
produce a user-friendly tool that is easy to learn and use, and allows
lexicographers to get up and running quickly with a new dictionary project.
Lexicographers work with a familiar abstraction, namely that of
dictionary articles, rather than at a level where they are exposed to
unnecessary technical implementation details. Thus, lexicographers do not need
to have an advanced level of computer literacy in order to perform the general
day-to-day tasks of compiling a dictionary. This makes dictionary compilation
more accessible to less technically literate lexicographers, and also has the
benefit of lowering training time.
Among the more advanced features are
the ‘linked view mode’ and the ‘dictionary compare/merge function’. When in linked
view mode, the language window for the target language automatically
displays those lemmas that are related to the selected lemma in the source
language. With this feature the consistency across the two sides of a
bilingual dictionary can be safeguarded. The dictionary compare/merge
function allows different versions of a dictionary database to be compared
with one another. This function is especially useful in situations where
lexicographers are split up geographically, where it may not be possible to
have a high-speed network connection to the main database. Changes may then be
made ‘offline’, and periodically merged back into the main database.
TshwaneLex supports the creation of
the three major types of dictionary output media: hardcopy (paper), electronic
(CD-ROM), and online (Internet). Two basic methods are provided for
placing the database contents online. The first is to generate static output,
where the dictionary is placed online as a pre-generated file (e.g. HTML, XML,
RTF, PDF, Microsoft Word, etc.). It is also possible to export to XML format
from TshwaneLex. An XML stylesheet transform may then be applied to generate an
HTML page. The second method, using the online dictionary software module,
dynamically generates output, and provides far greater flexibility and
functionality, such as advanced dictionary usage tracking and analysis. These
dictionary usage statistics can be used in many ways to improve the dictionary;
for example, one can quickly see what the most frequent not-founds are.
TshwaneLex allows new data exporters
and importers to be created via a plugin system. A plugin for importing
databases stored in the Shoebox / Toolbox dictionary format is under
development, while one for the now discontinued Onoma Lexical Workbench
has already been created.
For more detailed information, a large
selection of screenshots and scientific articles on TshwaneLex, we would like
to refer you to http://tshwanedje.com/tshwanelex/
Annex 1: TshwaneLex screenshot showing the use
of Unicode in a Sesotho sa Leboa – Mandarin Chinese dictionary (here
the parts of speech are in English, yet this is easily
changed to a ‘label set’ in any language; this feature thus allows for true
customisation of the printed, electronic or online version of the database)
Annex 2: TshwaneLex screenshot demonstrating
the lemma filter in a Sesotho sa Leboa – English dictionary (here in
order to view all complete articles which have both a translation equivalent
and a usage example, but which have no combinations, no cross-references and no
ga/sa/se fields; of which there are only 38 out of 55 427 in this database)
—
Contributed by David Joffe & Gilles-Maurice de Schryver
David Joffe has a BSc Computer Science
(1998) degree from the University of Pretoria. He has five years full-time
C/C++ software development and project management experience, and over ten
years software development expertise. He has managed several complex simulator
software systems, and was manager for such projects as the Haul Truck and
Shovel Mining Training Simulators for AngloPlatinum, and a flight simulator
visualisation system for the South African Air Force.
Gilles-Maurice de Schryver has an MSc
in microelectronics (1995), an MA in African-language linguistics (1999), and
is currently finalising a PhD revolving around Fuzzy Simultaneous Feedback
applied to the South African lexicographic landscape (Ghent University,
Belgium). He is the author or co-author of several books and peer-reviewed articles
dealing with African-language corpus and dictionary topics.
Ye
ke porokerama ya khomphuthara ya go hlama dipukuntšu. Nna bjalo ka yo mongwe wa
ba mathomo ba go diriša porokerama ye, ke bona e le ye kaone kudu ge ke e bapetša
le tše dingwe tše ke ilego ka di diriša peleng. Ke porokerama ya mohuta wa yona
o nnoši yeo e fanago ka dinyakwa ka moka tšeo mongwadi yo mongwe le yo mongwe
wa pukuntšu a ka ratago go ba le tšona. E sa le go tloga ke thoma go diriša
porokerama ye, mošomo wa ka ke bona o tšwela pele ka lebelo le le makatšago ka
lebaka la dilo tše dintši tšeo di humanegago mo porokerameng ye. Go ya ka
maitemogelo a ka, nka rata go eletša bangwalapukuntšu ba bangwe le bona gore ba
diriše porokerama ye. Porokerama ye ga se ya direlwa fela leleme la Sesotho sa
Leboa eupša e ka šomišwa go ngwala dipukuntšu tša maleme a mangwe a mantši ao a
lego gona mo lefaseng.
Translation
TshwaneLex
This is a computer program for compiling
dictionaries. As one of the first users of this program, I find it very
user-friendly as compared to other programs that I have used before. It is a
unique program that offers everything that a lexicographer might look for.
Since I started using this program, my work seems to go faster because of the features
of this program. Based on my experience, I would advise other lexicographers to
use this program too. The program is made not only for Sesotho sa Leboa, it can
be used for almost all the languages in the world.
— Contributed by Salmina Nong
|
Die Etimologiewoordeboek
van Afrikaans (EWA) in gedrukte en elektroniese formaat |
Die Etimologiewoordeboek
van Afrikaans (EWA) in gedrukte en elektroniese formaat is gedurende 2003
deur die Buro van die WAT op Stellenbosch bekend gestel.
Die EWA in gedrukte formaat is op 13
Junie 2003 bekend gestel. Dit is die eerste Afrikaanse etimologiewoordeboek
sedert 1967. Die herkoms van meer as 8 000 Afrikaanse woorde word op ’n
gebruikersvriendelike wyse aangebied. Die lemmas is só gekies dat dit die ryk,
multikulturele oorsprong van Afrikaanse woorde illustreer.
Die woordeboek is ’n leesfees vir
elkeen wat meer van die herkoms van Afrikaanse woorde te wete wil kom. Lesers
sal ’n goeie aanduiding kry van wat sedert 1652 met die Nederlandse woordeskat
in Suid-Afrika gebeur het, en ook van dít wat Afrikaans sonder die toedoen van
Nederlands bygekry het. So byvoorbeeld word die invloed van Engels en die
inheemse tale van Suid-Afrika op Afrikaans aangedui deurdat talle leenwoorde en
leenvertalings uit hierdie tale in die woordeboek opgeneem is. Die
wisselwerking tussen Afrikaans en ander tale word verder geïllustreer deurdat
daar aangetoon word watter woorde op hulle beurt deur die betrokke tale aan
Afrikaans ontleen is. Verder sal die leser ook ’n goeie aanduiding kry van
watter woorde of betekenisonderskeidings van woorde in Afrikaans self ontstaan
of ontwikkel het.
Die EWA het ’n maklik leesbare karakter
deurdat verskillende soorte inligting duidelik van mekaar geskei word. Die
woordeboek tree vernuwend op deur ruim aandag aan betekenisaanbieding te
bestee, interessante benoemingsmotiewe aan te bied, en die onderskeid tussen
verskillende tipes etimologiese inligting tipografies van mekaar te onderskei.
Die projek is reeds in 1995 deur prof.
Piet van Sterkenburg van die Instituut voor Nederlandse Lexicologie (INL)
geïnisieer, maar het eers in 2001 werklik goed op dreef gekom. Aanvanklik is
prof. Johan Combrink en dr. Helena Liebenberg as outeurs aangewys. Na prof.
Combrink se afsterwe in Julie 1999 is die redaksie hersaamgestel, met mnr.
Gerhard van Wyk as tegniese redakteur om die manuskrip te redigeer en tegnies
te versorg, en met dr. Liebenberg, prof. Johan Lubbe, mev. Alet Cloete en mnr.
Anton Jordaan as outeurs.
Prof. Fons Moerdijk, oudhoofredakteur
van die Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal (WNT) en tans hoofredakteur
van die Algemeen Nederlands Woordenboek, het die redaksie van die EWA in
die etimologie opgelei. Die EWA is in sy geheel saamgestel met fondse wat uit
Nederland bekom is.
Die woordeboek in gedrukte formaat
beslaan 612 bladsye en kan teen R195 by die Buro van die WAT bestel word.
Die EWA in elektroniese formaat is op 5
September 2003 bekend gestel. Dit bied ’n gebruikersvriendelike en effektiewe
soekfasiliteit waarmee met die druk van ’n knoppie onder andere vasgestel kan
word wat die herkomstaal of herkomswoord van ’n Afrikaanse woord is, wat die
datum van ’n herkomswoord is, watter woordvormingsproses of klank- en
vormveranderingsproses ’n rol gespeel het in die ontstaan van ’n Afrikaanse
woord, wat die benoemingsmotief of datum van eerste optekening van ’n
Afrikaanse woord is, wat die verwyderde etimologie van ’n Afrikaanse woord is,
of watter Afrikaanse woorde deur ander tale ontleen is.
Met die EWA op CD het die gebruiker nou
maklike toegang tot die etimologiese inligting wat daarin opgesluit lê en is
die herkoms van Afrikaanse woorde nou toegankliker as wat dit ooit in die
verlede was.
Die woordeboek in elektroniese formaat
kan teen R175 by die Buro van die WAT bestel word. Alle bestellings moet gerig
word aan:
Die Hoofredakteur, Buro van die WAT
Posbus 245, Stellenbosch, 7599.
Telefoon: 021-8873113, Faks:
021-8839492, E-pos: wat@sun.ac.za
Summary
The Etimologiewoordeboek van Afrikaans
(EWA) in paper and electronic format
The Etimologiewoordeboek van Afrikaans
(EWA) in paper and electronic format was released by the Bureau of the WAT in
Stellenbosch during 2003.
The EWA in paper format is the first
Afrikaans etymology dictionary since 1967. The origin of more than 8 000
Afrikaans words is presented in a user-friendly manner. The words were selected
to illustrate the rich, multicultural heritage of Afrikaans words. The reader
will get a good indication as to what happened with the Dutch lexicon in South
Africa since 1652, as well as what influence other languages such as English
and the indigenous South African languages had on Afrikaans.
The EWA in electronic format consists
of an effective and user-friendly search form that enables the user to get easy
access to the etymological information contained within the dictionary. By
using the search form in the EWA the origin of Afrikaans words is now more
accessible than ever before.
Both products can be ordered from the Bureau
of the WAT. See details above.
— Contributed by the Bureau of the WAT
|
Isihlathululi-mezwi sesiNdebele
as fully recognized Dictionary Unit |
IsiHlathululi-mezwi
sesiNdebele (isiNdebele Dictionary Unit) is well on
track with its activities. The Unit was started informally in July 1999 and
currently has four staff members, appointed by the Board of Directors. Until
recently, Mr B. Skhosana filled the position of Acting Editor-in-Chief, since
the Unit did not have a permanent Editor-in-Chief. In August 2003, Ms Katjie
Sponono Mahlangu was appointed in this position. Ms Mahlangu had been working
for the Department of Education as an educator for 18 years. She started at
Mbalenhle High School in 1986, two years later moving to Khanyisa Primary
School where she was appointed as Head of the Department of Languages. While
teaching, she furthered her studies in African languages, obtaining a BA degree
from UNISA and an Honours degree from the University of Pretoria. She also
completed a Computer Literacy Diploma in 1998 and is currently busy with the
research paper for her MA in African Languages. Because of her interest in the
Ndebele culture, she also studied ‘Special art’ in isiNdebele.
The
isiNdebele Dictionary Unit is following a corpus-based approach in their
lexicographical activities. They have already succeeded in building an
electronic corpus containing two million words, which is used for the
compilation of a mono- and a bilingual dictionary. For the compilation itself,
they are making use of the new software application TshwaneLex. The Unit
plans to produce both a mono- and a bilingual dictionary by 2005.
—
Contributed by Katjie Sponono Mahlangu
On
22 April 2003 an online
dictionary interface Sesotho sa Leboa – English, the first of its
kind in South Africa, was placed on the Internet at http://africanlanguages.com/sdp/
by TshwaneDJe, a Human Language Technology development team. Two months
later, on 20 June, an official academic launch followed at the University of
Pretoria, and media releases started appearing from July onwards. Ten months
after the first upload of the database to the Internet the popularity remains
overwhelming. In ten months’ time as many as 34 000 searches were made by
4 000 unique users. This dictionary is currently also the largest for any
African language on the Internet, with approximately 25 000 Sesotho sa Leboa
articles and 28 000 items in the English index. The contents of this
online dictionary were originally brought together by Gilles-Maurice de
Schryver and are currently being revised and expanded by Salmina Nong, who uses
David Joffe’s dictionary compilation software TshwaneLex (cf. above). David Joffe also created the online dictionary
software module, which can be seen as an extension of TshwaneLex.
Linked to the main reference work
there is also a linguistics terminology list. The interface of the latter
contains several innovative features and even a world’s first,
namely the customisation of the output of part-of-speech (POS) tags, usage
labels and cross-references depending on the language chosen. The language of
the dictionary interfaces can effectively be set in an African language,
also a world’s first. Those who could not attend the academic launch might be
interested in reading about these features and some of their underlying
principles in the following publications: The Compilation of Electronic
Dictionaries for the African Languages (by D.J. Prinsloo, in Lexikos 11), Lexicographers’
Dreams in the Electronic-Dictionary Age (by G-M de Schryver, in the
International Journal of Lexicography 16.2), Online Dictionaries on the
Internet: An Overview for the African Languages (by G-M de Schryver, in
Lexikos 13), and On How Electronic Dictionaries are Really Used (by G-M
de Schryver & D. Joffe, in the EURALEX 2004 Proceedings).
The TshwaneDJe team is currently
collecting more terminology lists and also working towards CD-ROM and paper
versions of the dictionaries. The team further wishes to produce similar
online, electronic and hardcopy lexicography tools for numerous other
languages, and hereby invites interested dictionary makers in South Africa
and beyond to contact TshwaneDJe in this regard.
—
Contributed by the TshwaneDJe team (http://tshwanedje.com/)
Kamego ya ka mo pukuntšung ye ke go
badišiša le go godiša diteng tša yona. Ke amegile gape ka go fetolela interface
ya wepesaete ya pukuntšu ya inthanete go Sesotho sa Leboa. Ke šomiša porokerama
ya TshwaneLex go dira diphetogo mo pukuntšung ya inthanete. Pukuntšu ye
ya inthanete e na le foromo yeo batho ba ka e tlatšago gomme ba re romela
ditshwaotshwao, tšeo re ka di dirišago go kaonafatša pukuntšu ye. Ke hwetša
ditshwaotshwao tše di nthuša kudu ka ge le nna le ge ke le mmoledi wa polelo ye
nka se tsebe dilo ka moka malebana le polelo ye. Ke rata go hlohleletša batho
gore ba dirišane le rena gore re kgone go kaonafatša pukuntšu ye, gape ba botše
ba bangwe ka sedirišwa se.
Translation
Online
dictionary
My involvement with the dictionary is to
revise and extend the contents. I was also involved in the translation of the
interface of the online dictionary web site. I use the TshwaneLex program to make the
changes to the online dictionary. The online dictionary has a form that
visitors can use to send comments, and we use these comments to improve the
dictionary. I find these very useful because even though Sesotho sa Leboa is my
home language, I can’t know everything about the language. I would like to encourage
people to work together with us to improve this dictionary, and to tell others
about this resource.
—
Contributed by Salmina Nong
Yuniti
ya Rixaka ya Tidikixinari ta Xitsonga
yi kumeka eTivumbeni Multi-purpose Centre, tikhilomitara ta kwalomu ka 15
evuxeni bya doroba ra Tzaneen eLimpopo. Xikongomelonkulu xa Yuniti, ku ya hi
milawu leyi yi lawulaka, i ku tsala dikixinari yo angarhela ya ririmin’we ya
Xitsonga. Kambe yi nga tumbuluxa ni tidikixinari ta tinxaka tin’wana to
hambana.Vatirhi va Yuiniti eka nkarhi wa sweswi i: Prof. N.C.P. Golele –
Muhlerinkulu; Man. W.V. Mtebule – Mulekhsikhografi; Tat. J.D. Baloyi –
Mufambisi wa Hofisi; Tat. M.J. Mongwe – Mulekhsikhografi. Tanihleswi swi nga
swa nkoka ku tiva swilaveko eka rixaka, Yuniti ya Xitsonga yi ringeta hi
matimba ku fikelela vini va ririmi ni ku va katsa eka migingiriko ya Yuniti. Ku
fikelela mhaka leyi ya nkoka, Yuniti yi endla leswi landzelaka.
Ku
tirhisana ni Huvo ya Rixaka ya Ririmi ra Xitsonga (XNLB) Leswi i swa nkoka tanihileswi Huvo yi
nga yona mulanguteri wa timhaka hinkwato leti khumbaka ririmi ra Xitsonga. Ya
letela eka ku ringanisa ririmi, ni ku tlhela yi hlela ntirho lowu endliwaka hi
Yuniti.
Ku
tirhisana na xitici xa rhediyo xa Xitsonga xa Munghana Lonene FM Leswi i swa nkoka swinene, ngopfu-ngopfu
eka ririmi leri ra ha hluvukaka, tanihi Xitsonga, tanihileswi rhediyo yi
fikelelaka vanhu vo tala swinene eku tiviseni ka mahungu, ku tlula tindlela tin’nwana.
Timhaka ta nkoka leti Yuniti yi tsakelaka ku ti tivisa hi leti landzelaka.
Ku
tivisa rixaka ku va kona ka Yuniti Leswi
swi humelerile hi siku ra 5 Mhawuri 2003. Xitici xa Munghana Lonene FM xi
nyikile nkarhi wo ringana awara ni hafu eka nongoloko wa ninhlikanhi. Yuniti yi
komberile Huvo yo Angarhela ya Tindzimi ta Afrika-Dzonga (PanSALB) ku va kona
eka nongoloko lowu, leswaku yi tivisa rixaka hi tlhelo ra xiyimo ni
matumbuluxelo ya Yuniti. Nongoloko wu vuye wu famba hi ndlela leyi: Mbulavulo
hi mufambisi wa Hofisi ya Huvo yo Angarhela, Prof. C.N. Marivate; Mbulavulo hi
mutirhi wa le ka Huvo yo Angarhela mayelana ni lekhsikhografi, Tat. H.T.
Mashele; Mbulavulo hi mutshama-xitulu wa Huvo ya Vafambisi ya Yuniti, Tat. S.E.
Mushwana; Mbulavulo hi mukhomeri wa muhlerinkulu, Prof. N.C.P. Golele.
Ku
thya Yuniti vito, ni ku yi kumela mfungho
Loko Yuniti yi vonile ku fanela ka ku thya vito, ku twananiwile
leswaku leswi swi endliwa hi ndlela ya mphikizano eka rixaka. Munghana Lonene
FM u pfumerile ku haxa mphikizano lowu, kutani Yuniti yi veka sagwati ra
R1000.00 eka loyi a nga ta hlula. Mavito ni mimfungho swi rhumeriwile; ku sale
ntsena leswaku swi hleriwa.
Xitumbuluxiwa
xo sungula xa Yuniti xi le ku hleriweni I dikidxinari yitsongo ya Xinghezi-Xitsonga. Ku languteriwa
leswaku yi ta nyiketiwa eka nhlengeletano ya lembe ya vini va ririmi hi n’hweti
ya Hukuri, leyi nga ta katsa ni ku khanguriwa ka Yuniti.
Vuxokoxoko byin’wana bya Yuniti byi
kumeka eka papila-hungu ra PanSALB ra Dzivamisoko-Khotavuxika 2003.
Summary
The
Xitsonga Lexicography Unit is located at the
Tivumbeni Multi-purpose Centre, about 15 km east of Tzaneen in Limpopo. The
highlights of the Unit at present are as follows.
Close
cooperation with the Xitsonga National Body, which is imperative, is well
established, as well as cooperation with the Xitsonga radio station, Munghana
Lonene FM.
On the 5th of August
2003 the announcement of the existence of the Unit was aired by Munghana Lonene
FM radio station in a 90 minutes afternoon programme. Prof. C.N. Marivate spoke
in general on the mandate of PanSALB and its structures. Mr H.T. Mashele spoke
specifically on the lexicography programme of PanSALB, followed by Mr S.E.
Mushwana, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and Prof. N.C.P. Golele,
Acting Editor-in-Chief.
Munghana Lonene FM also aired a
name and logo competition for the Unit, with a prize of R1000.00 provided by
the Unit.
The first product of the Unit, a
small English – Xitsonga dictionary is at present being edited, to be presented
at the end-of-the-year stakeholder meeting and launch of the Unit.
— Contributed by the Xitsonga NLU
|
Van
ossewa na sneltrein: die ontwikkeling van die Elektroniese
WAT |
Die
evolusie van die Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal het onlangs ’n
hoogtepunt bereik met die voltooiing en verskyning van die Elektroniese WAT
op CD-ROM en die Internet. Hierdie proses is met ContentLot / Van
Schaik Electronic (VSE) as vennoot onderneem en is moontlik gemaak deur ’n
skenking van die Universiteit van Pretoria.
Die omskakeling van papierweergawe na
elektroniese teks was egter geen maklike taak nie. Aanvanklik is besluit om die
projek in te deel in twee fases. Fase 1 sou voltrek word met die produksie,
binne 17 weke, van ’n elektroniese woordeboek met voltekssoekkapasiteit. Fase 2
sou dan die omvattende markering van die teks behels, om dit sodoende
versoenbaar te maak vir insluiting by ’n leksikografiese databasis soos Onoma,
wat deur die Buro gebruik word. Dit het egter spoedig duidelik geword dat veral
twee aspekte problematies was. In die eerste plek moes volumes I–VIII (A–K) wat
nog nooit vantevore elektronies geredigeer is nie, omgeskakel word na
elektroniese teks; in die tweede plek moes dele IX–XI aangepas word om in te
skakel by die voorafgaande dele. Ten opsigte van die omskakeling van volumes
I–VIII, het onakkurate skandering tot grootskaalse spel- en formateringsfoute
gelei en die proefleesproses wat na die skandering gevolg het, was ook nie na
wense nie. Nadat ’n proses van kwaliteitsbeheer in plek gestel is, is hierdie
probleme egter vinnig uit die weg geruim. Die grootste struikelblok in die
aanpassing van dele IX–XI was die inkonsekwente toepassing van merkers in die
bronteks. Daar is nie in die saamstel van dele IX–XI van databasisgedrewe
sagteware gebruik gemaak vir die skep van die woordeboekartikels nie (sagteware
kompleks genoeg om die Buro se stelsel te akkommodeer, was bloot nog nie
beskikbaar nie). Die merkers is deur mense ingevoeg en derhalwe was daar
inkonsekwenthede wat die koderingsproses bemoeilik het. VSE het egter wondere
verrig om nie net hierdie merkers uiteindelik binne die dele eenvormig te maak
nie, maar ook om die kodering relatief eenvormig te maak met die vorige dele.
Die eindproduk van hierdie bloedsweet
is ’n omvattende elektroniese naslaanbron met gevorderde soekfunksionaliteit.
Dit bevat nie slegs die omvangryke inligting wat in 11 WAT-dele (A–O)
vervat is nie, maar ook ’n kerntesourus van Afrikaans (Woordkeusegids).
Die Elektroniese WAT se
nagenoeg 200,000 trefwoorde (lemmas) reflekteer die verskillende variëteite van
Afrikaans, asook woordeskat uit geskrewe en gesproke taal. Hierdie inligting is
uit omvattende sitaatversamelings en korpora verkry. Die Elektroniese WAT
bied onontbeerlike hulp vir enige persoon vir wie effektiewe kommunikasie in
Afrikaans ’n saak van erns is en werk, volgens ’n Nederlandse kritikus, “als
een trein, heel erg goed”.
Die Elektroniese WAT is
beskikbaar op CD-ROM teen ’n koste van R450 en kan by die Buro van die WAT, Posbus 245, Stellenbosch, 7599 (e-pos: wat@sun.ac.za)
bestel word. Gebruikers kan as alternatief inteken op die Internet-weergawe,
teen ’n koste van R150 per jaar, by http://www.woordeboek.co.za
Summary
The
Bureau of the Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal
recently reached an important milestone with the completion and publication of
the Elektroniese WAT on CD-ROM and the Internet. This process was
undertaken in partnership with ContentLot / Van Schaik Electronic and
was made possible by a generous donation from the University of Pretoria.
The conversion was by no means an easy
process. Two aspects were particularly problematic. Firstly, volumes I–VIII
(A–K), which were not previously edited electronically, had to be converted to
electronic text. This encompassed an onerous process of scanning, proofreading
and coding. Secondly, volumes IX–XI (L–O), the text of which was already
available between customised SGML-type tags, had to be prepared to be published
electronically. The tags had, however, been inserted manually, which led to
inconsistencies that hampered the coding process.
The final product of all this hard
labour is a comprehensive electronic reference work with advanced search
functions. It not only presents the data contained in the eleven volumes of
WAT, but also includes a core thesaurus of Afrikaans.
— Contributed by the Bureau of the WAT
‘Learning
how to’ rather than ‘learning about’ is the now well-tried approach of the
annual Lexicom Workshop in Lexicography and Lexical Computing. Last
year’s workshop was held in Brighton, England, from July 13–18, 2003. Each
seminar introduced and discussed a key topic, which was then further explored
in practical exercises at the computer. As well as the basics of practical
lexicography, the programme covered corpus design and annotation, the
extraction of information from corpus data to build a dictionary entry, a brief
look at various types of dictionary databases, and an introduction to frame
semantics as a practical approach to corpus analysis. Participants received
complete documentation of all the seminars in a bound copy of the Course Notes.
The course was led by Sue Atkins, Adam Kilgarriff and Michael Rundell, of the Lexicography
MasterClass Ltd.
This year’s workshop will be held in
Brighton, England, from June 6–11, 2004. Participation is limited to 24 people.
The programme and general approach will be substantially the same, with a few
enhancements suggested by this year’s group. Pre-registration is already taking
place on our web site: http://www.lexmasterclass.com
—
Contributed by Sue Atkins
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