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This article starts by providing a brief summary of relevance theory in information science in relation to the function theory of lexicography, explaining the different types of relevance, viz. objective system relevance and the subjective types of relevance, i.e. topical, cognitive, situational, socio-cognitive and affective relevance. It then sho...
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Context 1
... can simply introduce a word in the search field and then get a large number of articles from different dictionaries, or one could also, as indicated in Figure 1, specify which particular dictionary in terms of language or subject field one would like to consult. A similar choice between a general or a narrower subject-dependent search method is provided by the Oxford Reference (see Figure 2). Many other examples could be provided, all of them express- ing topical relevance as a frequent selection criterion. ...
Context 2
... user with a text-production problem does not have the same needs as a user with a text-reception problem, and so on. Consequently, the lexicographer has to select, prepare and present different types of data in order to serve the users in each situation separately, as it has been done in the examples taken from the Danish Music Dictionary and Dictionary of Fixed Expressions, respectively, and shown in Figures 4 and 5 in section 3.2.2. If a specific e-dictionary is conceived to cover more than one extra-lexicographical situation, then it is highly advisable that the lexicographer makes provision for differentiated search options allowing the users to access only the data needed in each situation; if not, the danger of information overload and, hence, bad user service would be imminent. ...
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Citations
... More recently, the results of these joint efforts can be seen in various publications, e.g. Ball and Bothma (2018), Bergenholtz and Agerbo (2017), Bergenholtz, Bothma and Gouws (2015), Bothma (2018), Bothma and Bergenholtz (2013), Bothma, Gouws and Prinsloo (2016), Bothma, Prinsloo and Heid (2018), Bothma and Tarp (2014), Tarp and Gouws (2019). One of the realities of online referencing is that dictionaries function along with numerous other reference sources in a network of information tools. ...
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.
... Extractos de la base de datos inglés-español del proyecto Valladolid-Uva A continuación, presentaremos un diseño alternativo de la ventana de consultas que se basa en el criterio de relevancia aplicado a la lexicografía(Bothma & Tarp, 2014).Los datos que se estiman más relevantes para el usuario se ofrecen primero -en la medida que sea posible-en tanto que los que se consideran menos relevantes deben . Este criterio implica, entre otras cosas, que técnicas de navegación como desplazamientos hacia abajo, que requieren más pasos de parte del usuario, se reduzcan a un mínimo y solo se usen cuando sean inevitables. ...
Esta contribución discute la situación actual de la lexicografía describiéndola como una crisis de identidad que se debe a un modelo de negocios obsoleto. En su lugar, propone un nuevo modelo de financiación que se apoya en las nuevas tecnologías y una visión diferente de la misma esencia de la lexicografía como disciplina. La visión es subir en la cadena de valor integrando los datos lexicográficos en herramientas, servicios y plataformas de alta tecnología. A modo de ejemplo, el artículo discute la materialización de esta idea en un asistente de escritura publicado en 2019 que todavía se encuentra en plena fase de desarrollo. Al final, y para comprobar el uso y funcionamiento de esta herramienta, se recomienda un método diferente a los que tradicionalmente se aplican para estudiar el uso de diccionarios.
... It is based on the criterion of relevance (cf. Bothma and Tarp 2014). The most relevant data are provided first (as far as it is possible) and the less relevant have to be accessed through further steps. ...
This article botanizes in the history of lexicography trying to connect the dots and get a deeper understanding of what is happening to the discipline in the framework of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The objective is to suggest possible ways out of the present deadlock. History shows that a sudden change of the technological base, like the one we are now experiencing, suggests a total revolution of the discipline in all its major dimensions. In order to be successful, such a revolution requires a mental break with past traditions and habits. As a matter of example, the article focusses on a series of bilingual writing assistants developed by the Danish company Ordbogen A/S and the new challenges posed to lexicography by these and similar tools. It argues that these challenges cannot be solved by means of traditional user research which is retrospective as it unfolds in the framework of an old paradigm. As an alternative, and without excluding other types of user research, the article recommends disruptive thinking by means of brainstorm, immersion, and contemplation and provides some examples on how to proceed. Finally, it problematizes the incipient competition between human and artificial lexicographers and gives a brief account of a possible future redistribution of tasks.
... They (2012 distinguish two basic classes of relevance, each defined as follows: objective relevance which is system-based (algorithmic or system relevance), and subjective relevance which is user-based and which can then be further subdivided into the following: The different types and subtypes are described in a fair amount of detail in Bothma and Tarp (2012), and an illustrative example is provided; relevance theory is also applied to the lexicographical process. Further examples are provided in Bothma and Tarp (2014). These authors come to the conclusion that the comparison of relevance theory is important for lexicography and information science for the following: ...
The discipline of information science per definition deals with data, information and knowledge, in the broadest sense of the terms. There are a number of sub-disciplines in information science, and the focus of this chapter will be on the sub-discipline of information organisation and retrieval. Common to all the sub-disciplines is that the relationship or interaction between data/information/knowledge, humans and technology is studied. The emphasis can be on the relationship between all three components, between only two components, or on the context of the relationships. Humans typically refer to end-users, that is, the people that eventually use the information for work, leisure, study and so forth. Technology currently refers mostly to information and communication technologies in the form of modern e-technologies. Theory in information science usually links to practice – such theories are often reflections on how data, information and knowledge are managed, stored, retrieved etc. in practice, trying to systematise practice, or abstract rules from practice that explain practice and that can be generalised to other situations.
Lexicography in essence also deals with data, information and knowledge (even though the definitions of these concepts may differ from those of information science), humans and technology and the interaction between these three components. The data may essentially be data about words, word combinations and descriptions of usage, i.e., a defined subset of all data (compared to information science). Humans are typically end-users, as is the case in information science, and technology currently also refers to modern e-technologies. Theory in lexicography relates to practice, and practice to theory, as in information science.
From this very brief discussion, it is evident that there are a number of commonalities between information science and lexicography and a number of researchers have pointed this out in the recent past. In both cases, the eventual use of the data by end-users is the reason why the data are organised; in both cases the data are retrieved by end-users and in both cases, especially currently, e-technologies play an important role in how the data are organised and retrieved. Both disciplines have used computers since their popularisation in the 1980s to organise and retrieve data/information, in both cases moving from paper-based systems to digital systems, in both cases using database systems for organising the data and search algorithms for retrieving the data.
This chapter will explore the relationship between information science and lexicography in more detail and will focus on how e-technologies can be used to organise and retrieve data in response to end-user information needs. It will start by discussing the commonalities briefly mentioned above in more depth. It will then show how advanced searching and filtering technologies, commonly used in information science can provide more relevant information to end-users in terms of their specific information needs, within the framework of the Function Theory of lexicography. Information presentation can further be enhanced through adaptive hypermedia techniques, interactive tools based on Web 2.0 and social media concepts, and other user support tools. Through incorporating such features in e-dictionaries, more advanced e-dictionaries can be developed. The discussion will close with suggestions on how theory in both disciplines can be refined through critical reflection on how these two disciplines are related.
... Tarp (2013) has illustrated how the translation model needed to guide the design of translation dictionaries is different from the models used in translation science, though inspired by these. Bothma & Tarp (2014) have shown that relevance theory, as it has been developed within information science, needs to be complemented with an additional dimension related to the functionality of the tool when applied within lexicography. ...
This article is the written version of the Enrique Alcaraz Annual Memorial Lecture, given by the author at the University of Alicante on March 26, 2014. After a brief overview of the past and present of lexicography, it presents some of the challenges and paradoxes facing the discipline in the current transition to the digital media. Through examples from lexicographical practice it provides a vision of dictionaries as information tools and presents the core elements of a general theory covering all types of lexicographical work. Upon this basis, the article discusses principles, methods and techniques which can be applied to improve the quality of present and future online dictionaries. Finally, it presents the main concept of an online business dictionary under construction where some of these principles, methods and techniques are used in order to adapt the articles visualised on the screen to the foreseen Spanish and English users' needs in five different situations.
... Tarp (2013; has illustrated how the translation model needed to guide the design of translation dictionaries is different from the models used in translation science, though inspired by these. Bothma/Tarp (2014) have shown that relevance theory, as it has been developed within information science, needs to be complemented with an additional dimension related to the functionality of the tool when applied within lexicography. Many other examples could be given in order to illustrate how this important principle of function-driven methodology is applied and which consequences it may have for lexicography. ...
This contribution provides an overview of some of the methods used in relation to the function theory. It starts with a definition of the concept of method and the relation existing between theory and method. It establishes an initial distinction between artisanal and theory-based methods and argues that current lexicographical methods should be embedded in an advanced theory in order to guarantee the needed innovation in the e-environment. Then it presents a number of general principles of methodology applied by supporters of the function theory. On this basis, it proceeds to a discussion of various methods used in the different sub-phases of the overall dictionary compilation process, from the making of the concept to the preparation for publication on the chosen media, with focus on the Internet. Finally, it briefly discusses some of the methods used to create and test the function theory itself as well as the various specific sub-theories related to this general theory.
The paper shows that rapidly developing digital technologies radically transform con-temporary lexicography and its principles in representing linguistic information, particularly for various intellectual systems and applications. New active trends in the evolution of lexi-cography and in the compiling and functioning of innovative lexicographic resources are re-vealed. Particular attention is paid to a most urgent problem within contemporary cross-linguistic scientific communication — the lexicographic representation of modern terminolo-gy, which is stimulated by digital technologies, acquires fundamentally new properties and becomes more dynamic, multiword, compositional, context-aware, cross-disciplinary, etc.
Approximately a decade ago, it was suggested that a new function should be added
to the lexicographical function theory: the interpretive function1. However, hardly any research has
been conducted into this function, and though it was only suggested that this new function was
relevant to incorporate into lexicographical theory, some scholars have since then assumed that this
function exists2, including the author of this contribution. In Agerbo (2016), I present arguments
supporting the incorporation of the interpretive function into the function theory and suggest how
non-linguistic signs can be treated in specific dictionary articles. However, in the current article,
due to the results of recent research, I argue that the interpretive function should not be considered
an individual main function. The interpretive function, contrary to some of its definitions, is not
connected to acting and therefore the only difference between reception and interpretation is that
they work with different types of sign. However, the type of sign is not relevant for a function, or
rather, it should not be a criterion for distinguishing between functions. The lemma selection for
the communicative, cognitive as well as the operative functions could and should include linguistic
as well as non-linguistic signs. Thus, theoretically, there is no reason to identify a fourth dictionary
function as suggested by Tarp (2008), and practically, the development of modern technologies has
diminished the distance in the treatment of different types of sign, making it easier for lexicographers to lemmatise non-linguistic signs. Concerning the point that non-linguistic signs are also
worthy of lexicographical attention, my suggestion from 2016 still stands, the difference in this
contribution being that the interpretive function is not considered an individual function.
