Danish Lexicography between Tradition and Innovation: Digital Dictionaries and Needs-adapted Glosses

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Abstract

This article deals with Danish lexicography in the light of the current technological and commercial paradigm shift. It shows that the publication of printed dictionaries has almost ceased, and that most new dictionaries are either digital or digitised versions of older dictionaries. The article focuses first on three very different general dictionaries of Danish, Den Danske Ordbog, Den Danske Netordbog og Retskrivningsordbogen, each of which is described in general terms, with some critical observations and comments. It then lists a number of important dictionaries dealing with Danish dialects, culture and linguistic heritage since the XII century. It also briefly discusses the challenges posed by an outdated business model from the print era, which has resulted in all traditional publishers closing down, leaving most dictionaries without public funding in the hands of a single major provider. The worrying result is that many of these dictionaries, including some essential bilingual and specialised dictionaries, are no longer being properly updated. Finally, examples are given of how traditional lexicographical glosses have found new life in digital software, such as reading and writing assistants.
Original languageEnglish
JournalLexicographica
Volume40
Issue1
Pages (from-to)95-120
Number of pages26
ISSN0175-6206
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2024

Keywords

  • Danish lexicography
  • dictionography
  • glossography
  • digital dictionary
  • digitised dictionary
  • online dictionary
  • spelling dictionary
  • dialect dictionary
  • needs-adapted gloss
  • writing assistant
  • reading assistant
  • function theory

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