Thesis (Ph.D.) --University of Limpopo, 2016. / Lack of properly translated Tshivenḓa-English dictionaries is a great challenge to dictionary users. In an attempt to address this challenge or problem, linguistic approach has been employed in this study, which was conducted in Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study critically analyses the role of translation in lexicography with special reference to selected Tshivenḓa-/English bilingual dictionaries. The selected dictionaries are: Tshikota’s (2006) Tshivenḓa/English Ṱhalusamaipfi Dictionary and Van Warmelo’s (1989) Venḓa Dictionary. The aim of this study was to examine the role of translation in lexicography with special reference to Tshivenḓa-English dictionaries. This study utilised a qualitative technique to collect the data and interviews were conducted with lexicographers, university lecturers, language practitioners, Tshivenḓa grade 12 educators and court interpreters. Data were analysed based on different answers from different questions posed to different respondents. The study showed that people who compile dictionaries and do translation, do not have proper background in translation. In addition, some of the people are not fluent in both the source and the target languages. It is recommended that in order to produce user-friendly dictionaries, compilers and translators should get a proper training in translation. In addition, translators should be fluent in both the source and target languages. Finally, school books (including prescribed and content books), should be translated in order to provide effective teaching and learning.

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.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study proposes a concept model for an electronic bilingual dictionary of sign language and Afrikaans (or English, or any other spoken language) that can be applied in practice by the De la Bat School for the Deaf in Worcester – or any school of similar organisation – to compile a bilingual dictionary in which it is not only possible to look up a sign via a written word but also to look up a sign even if the user does not necessarily know the written equivalent. This is important as it will mean that, for the first time in South Africa, a Deaf user would not have to be literate in any written language to use a dictionary in his or her own language. At the same time a hearing user would be able to look up a sign of which the meaning is unknown, for example when a sign is noticed in a conversation or an unknown context. The sign language dictionaries currently available in South Africa are little more than alphabetically arranged (or sometimes thematically arranged) lists in which the written language offers the only access to the content. As per introduction the first four chapters provide general discussions of sign language, the Deaf in South Africa, lexicography and sign language dictionaries. The discussions which follow in the remaining chapters focus on the decisions which have to be made in terms of the proposed dictionary’s content and design. These chapters contain recommendations regarding equivalent relations between sign language and Afrikaans, several outer texts which could be included in the frame structure, the characteristics of the electronic database from which the dictionary will be generated, as well as decisions that have to be made about the microstructure. In the last chapter the lexicographic model for an electronic bilingual Foundation Phase dictionary of South African Sign Language and Afrikaans is provided with complete examples. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie stel 'n konsepmodel voor vir 'n elektroniese tweetalige woordeboek van gebaretaal en Afrikaans (of Engels, of enige ander gesproke taal) wat deur die De la Bat Skool vir Dowes in Worcester – of enige ander skool of soortgelyke instansie – in die praktyk aangewend sou kon word om 'n tweetalige woordeboek saam te stel waarin dit nie slegs moontlik is om 'n gebaar via 'n geskrewe woord op te soek nie, maar ook om 'n gebaar op te soek sonder dat die gebruiker noodwendig die geskrewe ekwivalent ken. Dit is belangrik aangesien dit die eerste keer in Suid- Afrika sal beteken dat 'n Dowe gebruiker nie in enige geskrewe taal geletterd hoef te wees om 'n woordeboek in sy of haar eie taal te gebruik nie. Terselfdertyd sal 'n horende gebruiker wat gebaretaal leer in staat wees om 'n gebaar op te soek waarvan die betekenis onbekend is, soos wanneer 'n gebaar in 'n gesprek of onbekende konteks opgemerk word. Die gebaretaalwoordeboeke wat op die oomblik in Suid-Afrika bestaan, is weinig meer as alfabetiese (of soms tematiese) lyste waarin die geskrewe taal die enigste toegang tot die inhoud bied. Ter inleiding word algemene besprekings van gebaretaal, Dowes in Suid-Afrika, leksikografie en gebaretaalwoordeboeke in die eerste vier hoofstukke verskaf. Die besprekings wat in die hoofstukke daarop volg, fokus in meer besonderhede op die besluite wat t.o.v. die voorgestelde woordeboek se inhoud en ontwerp gemaak moet word. Dié hoofstukke bevat aanbevelings rakende ekwivalentverhoudings tussen gebaretaal en Afrikaans, verskeie buitetekste wat in die raamstruktuur gebruik sou kon word, die eienskappe van die elektroniese databasis waaruit die woordeboek gegenereer word asook besluite wat oor die mikrostruktuur geneem moet word. In die laaste hoofstuk word die leksikografiese model vir 'n elektroniese tweetalige grondslagfasewoordeboek van Suid-Afrikaanse Gebaretaal en Afrikaans met volledige voorbeelde uiteengesit. / Nasionale Navorsingstigting / Harry Crosleystigting

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / This study is a comparative analysis of two English monolingual dictionaries and two Northern Sotho – English bilingual dictionaries, namely Concise Oxford English Dictionary(2006), Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2006), Pharos Popular Northern Sotho Dictionary (1995) and Sesotho Sa Leboa – English Pukuntšu Dictionary (2006). The above four dictionaries are compared in terms of cross – referencing, pronunciation and parts of speech. The microstructure of certain dictionaries does not address most problems that dictionary users have. It is in the microstructure, where dictionary users learn that certain lemmata are synonymous, polysemous in sense, antonyms or that a lemma has two alternative spellings, and that both spelling are acceptable. This is done through cross –referencing. Dictionary users need to be guided on how lemmata are pronounced, otherwise the meaning of lemmata become distorted. The other problem which the microstructure has to deal with, is to indicate the type of parts of speech lemmata are. This research is an attempt to make lexicographers aware of the importance of including the above aspects in the microstructure of their dictionaries.