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:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:- recognise fine details of the central design issues in lexicography
- be familiar with some relevant software for dictionary-making
- search language corpora for relevant material
- apply rigour in the formulation of dictionary definitions for English and other languages relevant to their interests
- understand in detail how lexical entries relate to semantic and grammatical analysis, sociolinguistic variation, etymology and broader encyclopaedic knowledge
- understand critically the history and likely future developments in lexicography
Field Trips
Students will attend the ANDC to observe systems and lexicographical editing software.
Required Resources
Students are recommended to access Sue Atkins and Michael Rundell's The Oxford Guide to Practical Lexicography, available as an e-book through the ANU library.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Introduction to the course; Introduction to Dictionaries and Lexicography; What is a Dictionary? | |
2 | What is a Dictonary? (ctd); History of Dictionaries | |
3 | Practical Lexicography Part 1 | Assignment 1 Due end week 3 |
4 | Practical Lexicography Part 2 | |
5 | Practical Lexicography Part 3; Collecting data and working with Corpora | |
6 | AustraLex Conference will be held online Wednesday and Thursday, students to attend sessions that interest them | Assignment 2 due end of Week 6 |
7 | Student project demonstrations | |
8 | Historical Lexicography | |
9 | Students to visit ANDC (by arrangement) for practical interaction with lexical software etc. Remote students to arrange zoom meeting for demonstration of software and other systems. | Assignment 3 due end of Week 9 |
10 | Bilingual Dictionaries and translation | |
11 | Language Description and Revitalization | |
12 | Lexicology; Future of the Dictionary | Assignment 4 Due Monday of week following Week 12 |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|
Review of existing lexicographical resource | 20 % | 1, 5, 6, 7 |
Lexicographical project proposal | 10 % | 1, 3 |
Lexicographical Project | 40 % | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Short essay | 30 % | 1, 5, 6, 7 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1, 5, 6, 7
Review of existing lexicographical resource
Students are required to critically review a single lexical resource of their choice. The review is an in-depth student of the resource and its features. More details on the assignment will be available on Wattle. Word length: 1000 words.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1, 3
Lexicographical project proposal
Students are required to complete a mini-dictionary as part of the course. Assignment 2 is a project proposal. In the proposal, students should outline the theme of their collection, provide a brief discussion of proposed methodology for collecting evidence, a brief outline of the features of their mini-dictionary, and identify their proposed user. Further details about the assignment will be available on Wattle. Word length: 800 words.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Lexicographical Project
Students are required to complete a mini-dictionary as part of the course. Assignment 3 is the mini-dictionary. Students will be required to compile a mini-dictionary of 10 to 15 terms., as well as a discussion/exegesis that reflects on the process of dictionary-making, methodologies used, challenges and issues faced, and how the dictionary was designed in relation to the proposed user. Further details about the assignment will be available on Wattle. Word length: 1800 words.
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1, 5, 6, 7
Short essay
Students will complete a short essay demonstrating their research and knowledge on a particular topic. Essay questions will be provided on Wattle. Word length: 1500 words.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.
The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.
The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
- Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research Interests |
Dr Amanda Laugesen
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Dr Amanda Laugesen
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