Language:
German
Year of publication:
2021
Titel der Quelle:
Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages
Angaben zur Quelle:
47,2 (2021) 83-109
Keywords:
Hebrew language, Biblical Dictionaries
;
Hebrew language, Biblical Lexicography
Abstract:
The aim of this review is to critique the front matter of the Dictionary of ClassicalHebrew Revised (= DCHR) as objectively, but also as constructively, as possible. Iaccordingly turned to the field of modern lexicography, in particular to a sub-fieldcalled “dictionary criticism”. It turns out that determining the function of a dictionaryand the competencies of its potential users are pivotal in evaluating its design features.Here I argue that, given its real-world constraints, the DCHR is an LSP (= Languagefor Special Purposes) dictionary. The guidelines for compiling a manual for an LSPdictionary are used to evaluate the front matter of the DCHR. As far as the content,structure and presentation of the front matter are concerned, it was found that theassumed role of the editors in deciding what their users need, and an apparentcomplacency about the validity of these assumptions, contributed to assumptions aboutthe competencies of potential users of the DCHR that could be called into question. Asa result, it could be argued that a better informed profile of the competencies of itspotential users and greater insight into “the best practices in LSP dictionaries” wouldhave helped the editors to structure the contents of the introduction, and in particularthe user’s guide to the DCHR, more effectively to unlock the potential wealth ofinformation recorded in this dictionary
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