Dictionaries are the most widely-used source of information about languages. This course introduces the craft of dictionary-making, and looks at questions about the nature of languages and their descriptions that arise when making a dictionary. The course will focus both on existing lexicographic materials (e.g. various kinds of dictionaries of major world languages) and on the task of making dictionaries of undescribed languages from scratch (particularly for languages of indigenous Australia and the Western Pacific).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On completing this course, students will have(a) a clear understanding of the central design issues in lexicography
(b) an acquaintance with some relevant software for dictionary-making
(c) skill in searching language corpora for relevant material
(d) rigour in the formulation of dictionary definitions for English and other languages relevant to their interests
(e) an understanding of how lexical entries relate to semantic and grammatical analysis, sociolinguistic variation, etymology and broader encyclopaedic knowledge
(f) an understanding of the history and likely future developments in lexicography
(g) an understanding of the role of dictionaries in translation and language teaching
Indicative Assessment
(a) Problem/critique of selected existing lexicographic resources (definitions; organization) (15%) due at end of 4th week
(b) a 2500 word essay due at end of Week 9 (35%)
(c) Lexicographic project (group work available as an option) due at end of final week (50%)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
2 hours lectures per week plus 4 1.5 hour tutorials
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Atkins, Sue & Michael Rundell. 2008. The Oxford Guide to Practical Lexicography. Oxford: OUP. Other relevant readings will be posted online during the coursePreliminary Reading
Relevant readings will be posted online before the courseFrawley, Hill & Munro. 2002. Making dictionaries. Preserving indigenous languages of the Americas. U Chicago Press.
Austin, Peter. Australian Aboriginal Lexicography. Evans, Nicholas. Main peculiarities of the vocabularies of Australian languages. Haimam, John, Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias; Hale, Ken, The Warlpiri Dictionary Project, Pawley, Andrew, Grammarian's lexicon; Lexicographer's lexicon; Wierzbicka, Anna Back to definitions; Landau, S. What is a dictionary
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $2718 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $3876 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4242 | 15 Feb 2016 | 26 Feb 2016 | 31 Mar 2016 | 27 May 2016 | In Person | N/A |
