The structure and context in monolingual specialised dictionaries for learners

Abstract

General dictionaries focus on texts related to language learning needs of users. The specialised dictionaries focus on texts related to the learning needs of users in a specific subject field. Specialised dictionaries are considered as a reference source for more experienced dictionary users. The learner of a particular subject field does not content with the limitations in the general glossary, but better understand the specialised field's language by means of the data provided by the specialised dictionary. In the preparation of the specialised dictionary; the creation of external text and specialised field's word list can be considered as pioneering steps. At this stage, the dictionary maker has to act according to the knowledge, language proficiency and needs of the target user. Indeed, Bergenholtz and Gouws, speak of three types of users related to specialised dictionaries: i) Experts, ii) Semi experts, iii) Expert candidates. Moreover, the language proficiency of these three groups may be at different levels. The dictionary maker should design the lexical text according to different user groups. In the study; stages of preparation of specialised dictionaries, approach and method to be followed, theoretical issues such as target user profile are discussed. In addition, selected terms (bee, pure; correct and addition/affixe) are examined in comparison with their definitions in different specialised dictionaries. Research has been conducted with the data obtained from the TDK web page (http://tdk.gov.tr/index.php?option=com_billion&view=bilimsanat).With this research, it is intended to contribute the particular area of the field in Turkish lexicography both theoretically and practically. Research is structured according to the frame given in the book titled as Specialised Dictionaries for Learners edited by Fuertas-Olivera. The study is a descriptive research.