Thesis (DLitt (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 1996. / Objective: This study presents a conception for compiling a monolingual German learner's dictionary. It is a theoretical blueprint which formulates guidelines regarding the choice and treatment ofinformation types suited for inclusion in such a dictionary. The conception is ''user oriented". In other words, its main focus is on the target users: nonnative speakers ofGerman who have reached an intermediate level of proficiency in their active and passive usage ofthe language. The deciding factor when suggestions are made regarding the selection, arrangement and typographical appearance of all lexicographical information is its relevance for this target group. In order for it to be an aid to foreign language learners while reading, writing and translating texts, information is presented in a simple and an easily retrievable way. The conception also aspires to help learners overcome their communicative problems and needs as well as to improve their linguistic competence. However, the ultimate aim ofthis dissertation is not only to provide a theoretical blueprint for a German learner's dictionary, but to have some practical significance as well. It is hoped that these recommendations will go some way towards stimulating the presently underdeveloped German pedagogical lexicographical practice. Contents: The study is structured to include all the vital aspects that are ofsignificance for the compilation of a learner's dictionary. It begins with a discussion of a number of pedagogical-lexicographical issues, such as the role of a learner's dictionary as a means of improving communicative proficiency in language teaching. The focus then moves on to the main objective, namely concrete proposals for the dictionary blueprint. While these proposals are based on up-to-date metalexicographical and linguistic theoretical conclusions, the deciding factor is that they must be practically applicable. First, the draft dictionary is typologically characterised by means of a precise and detailed description of the target user profile and potential usage situation~. Secondly, a discussion of general criteria, mainly aimed at improving the quick and easy retrieval of linguistic information, follows. Then, the contents and form ofthose texts that are not within the central alphabetical wordlist, such as the user's guide and grammar, as well as the internal reference structure ofthe dictionary (mediostructure) are highlighted. Subsequently, the selection of information in the draft dictionary is examined. This includes both the choice oflemmas (macrostructural selection) and the collection of linguistic information types suited for inclusion (microstructural selection). Not only does the conception recommend a relatively small number oflemmas (15 000), exclusively retrieved from the most common and frequently used standardised High German, but the number of information types is also restricted. This results is a low information density which in tum allows for a low text density and a high degree of accessiblity. Although decisions regarding the presentation ofvarious lexicographical information categories are linguistically motivated, linguistic comprehensiveness must occasionally bow the knee before pragmatic considerations. These improve the reception and retrievablitiy of data and enhance the user's chances of a sound understanding. A favourable visual presentation, including a low information density and transparent typographical layout, are also emphasised throughout. Finally, suggestions for the organisation and presentation oflemmas on the one hand and individual information types within the dictionary article on the other are presented. Sample entries provide a clear demonstration of all suggestions. In conclusion, the wider aspects ofhow the dictionary conceptualised in this thesis can be adapted to compile specialist pedagogical dictionaries, such as a production dictionary and a bilingual learner's dictionary which incorporates mother-tongue elements, are presented.

Thesis (MA (Modern Foreign Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, / This study presents conceptions for a German learner's dictionary ("Lemworterbuch"), aimed at the needs of the foreign language learner as recipient. The requirements set and proposals made for such a dictionary are aimed at improving the linguistic competence of the learner when he/she uses the language as recipient, in other words when he/she reads a German text or hears the spoken language (e.g. in conversation, on the radio, television, film etc.). III The target users are persons whose mother tongue is not German, but whose mastery of the language is at a fairly advanced level. Such users, who have mastered the basic grammatical rules of the German language and already have a good basic vocabulary, will nevertheless experience difficulties in using existing German explanatory dictionaries such as DUDEN and WAHRIG. These dictionaries present information in such a complicated way that it remains inaccessible to the average foreign language speaker. The propositions made in this thesis are directed at creating a dictionary that could overcome the existing gap between the bilingual translating dictionary with German as target language and the monolingual explanatory German dictionary. This study proceeds on the assumption that it is impossible to compile a dictionary without the consistent application of theoretically expounded principles (regarding linguistics, typography etc.). The subtlest detail regarding typographical layout is also emphasized, since the presentation of information determines how easily information can be retrieved from the dictionary. Proposals are made for a user friendly arrangement of material, which will enable the user to retrieve desired information easily and immediately. Two language aspects that are of the utmost importance to the recipient, flexion and definition, are examined. The way in which these two aspects are currently dealt with in monolingual dictionaries is investigated. From this investigation it is evident that flexion and defmition are inadequately dealt with for the specific needs of the foreign language learner. Suggestions are made to improve weaknesses and inconsistencies in order to make the dictionary more suitable for the language learner. Finally, the principles required by a German learner's dictionary for recipients are demonstrated by means of various entries. This serves as an example of how the dictionary could finally look. ;The entries are presented in both the printed and the electronic medium. The potential of both these media is utilized to show how the presentation of information can improve the user friendliness and accessibility of the dictionary.