Assessment on the Standards and Uses of Tigriny a Dictionaries
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Dictionaries are very essential in our everyday professional life. They provide us with
valuable lexical information and are crucial reference/resource materials across all
disciplines. Thus, upholding of their standard/quality and use appears to be paramount
important in order to suit the needs of intended users. However, little or no empirical
research has been done so far about the qualities and uses of Tigrinya dictionaries. The
main purpose of this study is then to assess and describe the standard and uses of some
selected Tigrinya dictionaries in the light of current theories and principles of
lexicography. The total sample subjects are six Tigrinya dictionaries, three compilers, and
hundred five Tigrinya-major students and ten Tigrinya teachers, from Addis Ababa and
Mekelle Universities. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the dictionaries
and the compilers, and systematic sampling technique to select the students, teachers, and
the main entries from the dictionaries. For an overall look at some aspects of the
dictionaries, purposive technique was also applied. Regarding data collection instrument,
questionnaire (for the students and teachers), an interview (for the compilers), and a
document/content analysis (for evaluation of the dictionaries) were used. The data
obtained through these instruments were analyzed and interpreted in qualitative (in tables,
graphs and descriptions) and quantitative (frequency distribution) methods as necessary.
The overall result of the study shows the selected dictionaries lack principles and
methods of lexicography. They are perceived nonstandard and are under utilized. The
compilers of these dictionaries lack adequate experience and training on dictionary
compilation. The study, therefore, implies Tigrinya dictionaries have to maintain the
required properties/qualities of a standard dictionary. Compilers of such dictionaries need
to attain necessary knowledge and skills of dictionary compilation, and training is
required to users and the authors
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Tigriny a Dictionaries