Defining vocabulary
Encyclopedia
A defining vocabulary is a list of words used by lexicographers to write dictionary definitions. The underlying principle goes back to Samuel Johnson
's notion that words should be defined using 'terms less abstruse than that which is to be explained'http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Texts/preface.html, and a defining vocabulary provides the lexicographer with a restricted list of high-frequency words which can be used for producing simple definitions of any word in the dictionary.
Defining vocabularies are especially common in English monolingual learner's dictionaries
. The first such dictionary to use a defining vocabulary was the New Method English Dictionary by Michael West
and James Endicott (published in 1935), a small dictionary written using a defining vocabulary of just 1490 words. When the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English was first published in 1978, its most striking feature was its use of a 2000-word defining vocabulary based on Michael West
's General Service List, and since then defining vocabularies have become a standard component of monolingual learner's dictionaries
for English and for other languages.
It is possible that, in electronic dictionaries
at least, the need for a controlled defining vocabulary will disappear. In some online dictionaries, such as the Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners
http://www.macmillandictionary.com, every word in every definition is hyperlinked to its own entry, so that a user who is unsure of the meaning of a word in a definition can immediately see the definition for the word that is causing problems. This strategy only works, however, if all the definitions are written in reasonably accessible language, which argues for some sort of defining vocabulary to be maintained in dictionaries aimed at language learners.
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer...
's notion that words should be defined using 'terms less abstruse than that which is to be explained'http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Texts/preface.html, and a defining vocabulary provides the lexicographer with a restricted list of high-frequency words which can be used for producing simple definitions of any word in the dictionary.
Defining vocabularies are especially common in English monolingual learner's dictionaries
Monolingual learner's dictionary
A Monolingual learner's dictionary is a type of dictionary designed to meet the reference needs of people learning a foreign language...
. The first such dictionary to use a defining vocabulary was the New Method English Dictionary by Michael West
Michael West
Michael West may refer to:* Michael West, American Horror author* Michael D. West, American gerontologist and CEO of BioTime, Inc.* Michael Philip West , English teacher and researcher who served in India...
and James Endicott (published in 1935), a small dictionary written using a defining vocabulary of just 1490 words. When the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English was first published in 1978, its most striking feature was its use of a 2000-word defining vocabulary based on Michael West
Michael West
Michael West may refer to:* Michael West, American Horror author* Michael D. West, American gerontologist and CEO of BioTime, Inc.* Michael Philip West , English teacher and researcher who served in India...
's General Service List, and since then defining vocabularies have become a standard component of monolingual learner's dictionaries
Monolingual learner's dictionary
A Monolingual learner's dictionary is a type of dictionary designed to meet the reference needs of people learning a foreign language...
for English and for other languages.
Differing opinions
Using a defining vocabulary is not without its problems, and some scholars have argued that it can lead to definitions which are insufficiently precise or accurate, or that words in the list are sometimes used in non-central meanings . The more common view, however, is that the disadvantages are outweighed by the advantages, and there is some empirical research which supports this position. Almost all English learner's dictionaries have a defining vocabulary, and these range in size between 2000 and 3000 words, for example:- Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English: approximately 2000 words
- Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced LearnersMacmillan English Dictionary for Advanced LearnersMacmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners, also known as MEDAL, was first published in 2002 by Macmillan Education. MEDAL is an advanced learner’s dictionary and shares most of the features of this type of dictionary: it provides definitions in simple language, using a controlled defining...
: approximately 2500 words - Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryOxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryThe first Advanced learner's dictionary was the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, first published 60 years ago. It is the largest English language dictionary from Oxford University Press aimed at a non-native audience...
: approximately 3000 words
It is possible that, in electronic dictionaries
Electronic dictionary
An electronic dictionary is a dictionary whose data exists in digital form and can be accessed through a number of different media. Electronic dictionaries can be found in several forms, including:*as dedicated handheld devices...
at least, the need for a controlled defining vocabulary will disappear. In some online dictionaries, such as the Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners
Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners
Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners, also known as MEDAL, was first published in 2002 by Macmillan Education. MEDAL is an advanced learner’s dictionary and shares most of the features of this type of dictionary: it provides definitions in simple language, using a controlled defining...
http://www.macmillandictionary.com, every word in every definition is hyperlinked to its own entry, so that a user who is unsure of the meaning of a word in a definition can immediately see the definition for the word that is causing problems. This strategy only works, however, if all the definitions are written in reasonably accessible language, which argues for some sort of defining vocabulary to be maintained in dictionaries aimed at language learners.
See also
- DictionaryDictionaryA dictionary is a collection of words in one or more specific languages, often listed alphabetically, with usage information, definitions, etymologies, phonetics, pronunciations, and other information; or a book of words in one language with their equivalents in another, also known as a lexicon...
- Core glossary
- Basic EnglishBasic EnglishBasic English, also known as Simple English, is an English-based controlled language created by linguist and philosopher Charles Kay Ogden as an international auxiliary language, and as an aid for teaching English as a Second Language...
- Appendix:Basic English word list
- E-PrimeE-PrimeE-Prime is a version of the English language that excludes all forms of the verb to be. E-Prime does not allow conjugations of to be , archaic forms E-Prime (short for English-Prime, sometimes denoted E′) is a version of the English language that excludes all forms of the verb to be. E-Prime does...