Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although work on the Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal started in the pretheoretic era of lexicography, it was originally the wish of the editorial staff to involve linguists in the compilation of the dictionary. They were, however, reluctant to implement suggestions of the critics after the first volumes had been published. A few adaptations were made, but a high premium was placed on the uniformity of the dictionary so that no meaningful changes were considered. The increasing harshness of the critisism as well as growing doubt whether the dictionary would be completed at the ever slowing pace, motivated the editorial staff to make a radical about-turn at the halfway mark. In an unprecedented step in lexicography the dictionary was redesigned during 1989 and 1990. Metalexicographers were involved and critisism on the completed volumes as well as the insights of lexicographic theory were taken into account in the designing of the new generation WAT volumes. The interaction between theory and practice should however be an ongoing process and more adaptations should be made if the ideal remains that the dictionary should reflect the state of metalexicography. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel die Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal uit die voorteoretiese era van die leksikografie stam, was daar aanvanklik die begeerte by die redaksie om taalkundiges by die woordeboek te betrek. Daar was egter 'n traagheid om uitvoering te gee aan die voorstelle van die kritici met die verskyning van die eerste dele van die WAT. Enkele veranderinge is wel aangebring, maar die eenheidsbeeld van die woordeboek is steeds vooropgestel sodat geen diepgaande wysigings oorweeg is nie. Die feller wordende kritiek asook twyfel of die woordeboek ooit voltooi sou word teen die traer wordende pas, het die redaksie laat besluit om by die halfpadmerk 'n radikale omkeer te maak. In 'n ongeëwenaarde stap in die leksikografie is die woordeboek gedurende 1989 en 1990 herontwerp. Metaleksikograwe is betrek en die kritiek op die vorige dele en die insigte van die leksikografieteorie is verreken in die ontwerp van die nuwe-generasie- WAT-dele. Die wisselwerking tussen teorie en praktyk duur egter voort en meer aanpassings sal gemaak moet word indien dit steeds die ideaal is dat die woordeboek die stand van die metaleksikografie weerspieël.