Thesis (DLitt (Afrikaans and Dutch))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This study reports on a metalexicographical investigation into contextual guidance in Afrikaans translation dictionaries. The problem that gives rise to the need for such an investigation is demonstrated from a practical perspective, after which attention is paid to determining the genuine purpose of a dictionary by looking at the component parts of the concept, i.e. the typological placement and the target user group of the dictionary in question. The discussion of the target user group evolves into an in-depth look at the user aspect, which results in the development and presentation of the model of lexicographical parameters for user-friendly dictionaries. This model aims to provide a scientific description of lexicographical user friendliness. Existing proposed definitions of the genuine purpose of a dictionary coupled with the benefit of insights derived from the model of lexicographical parameters for user-friendly dictionaries make the presentation of a new definition of the genuine purpose of a (translation) dictionary possible, which is followed by defining a polyfunctional translation dictionary for Southern Africa. Attention is also paid to some macrostructural issues pertaining to standard translation dictionaries, among others vertical and horizontal alphabetical macrostructures and niching and nesting as manifestations of horizontal alphabetical macrostructures. With regard to nesting, the classification of first and second level nesting is expanded by the description of third and fourth level nesting. The influence of the organisation plan and the dictionary conceptualisation plan on the selection of lexical items for the macrostructure of a standard dictionary is touched upon. An in-depth evaluation of contextual guidance in Afrikaans standard translation dictionaries follows the exposition of the rationale for it and the definitions of the terms context, contextualisation and contextual guidance. The discussion produces the identification of the types of contextualising entries, among others meaning explanations, lexicographical labels and glosses, which fall under the main class of discriminators and which in turn functions alongside the main classes of cotext entries and inserted texts. Each type and subtype is studied meticulously, and distribution structures are determined and evaluated through the study of dictionary data. The study of the data also results in the identification of different levels of contextualisation as well as different types of translation equivalent paradigms. The discussion of lexicographical labels takes on the form of a critical overview of the existing literature on this topic and results in the presentation of a new and scientifically sounder model for the description of labelling in dictionaries in general, i.e. the deixis model. The study of contextualising entries is followed by a discussion of certain elements of the composition of dictionary articles that can support successful contextual guidance, i.e. types of microstructures and the rapid internal access structure. The in-depth study of contextualisation makes the revision of the definition for the term contextualising entry possible. Ultimately a practical model for more effective contextual guidance in polyfunctional Afrikaans translation dictionaries is presented in three main components, i.e. (i) standards for the application of contextual entries, (ii) the proposal of an adapted rapid internal access structure, and (iii) the effective application of functional types of microstructures. The requirements of lexicographical accountability and user-friendliness remain central motives throughout the study.