3.430 dictionary software (76)
Willard McCarty (MCCARTY@VM.EPAS.UTORONTO.CA)
Tue, 5 Sep 89 20:27:18 EDT
Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 3, No. 430. Tuesday, 5 Sep 1989.
(1) Date: Tue, 5 Sep 89 06:45:32 EDT (32 lines)
From: Andrew Hawke <ACH@ABERYSTWYTH.AC.UK>
Subject: Software for dictionary-editing
(2) Date: Tue, 05 Sep 89 16:34:00 EDT (24 lines)
From: Niko Besnier <UTTANU@YALEVM>
Subject: Dictionary software
(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 5 Sep 89 06:45:32 EDT
From: Andrew Hawke <ACH@ABERYSTWYTH.AC.UK>
Subject: Software for dictionary-editing
In reply to the following query:
>From: Pieter Masereeuw <PIETER%UVAALF@HLERUL5.BITNET>
>Subject: Wanted: Software for dictionary-editing
>
>Is there anyone who knows of software for the production of dictionaries?
The only commercially available system I am aware of which meets at
least some of the criteria you mention is the Compulexis Dictionary
System. I read a review of it several years ago in _Apricot User_ or
_16 bit computing_, but it is summarized in _Humanities Computing
Yearbook_ 1988, page 162. It is available for the production of
bilingual dictionaries, although the article I read described its use
by Oxford University Press for the editing of the Concise Oxford
English Dictionary. I understand that it is quite expensive (approx.
20,000 pounds), but that may be for a specially adapted version. It is
available on a number of machines, including AT-compatibles. Address:
Compulexis Ltd., 'Moors Edge', Charlton-on-Otmoor, Oxford, England;
phone: (086) 733 300/500. OUP can be contacted at Dictionary
Department, Oxford University Press, Walton Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP,
England.
I would be very interested in any information you may obtain about this
or similar products.
Andrew Hawke
University of Wales Dictionary of the Welsh Language,
National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales.
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------27----
Date: Tue, 05 Sep 89 16:34:00 EDT
From: Niko Besnier <UTTANU@YALEVM>
Subject: Dictionary software
Re. Pieter Masereeuw's query about dictionary-editing software:
Bob Hsu (Linguistics Dpt, U of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822), has been
developing over many years dictionary editing/sorting/compiling software.
The software family, called LEXWARE, is extremely powerful and versatile,
although a little time-consuming to learn. But it's worth it if your project
is `large' enough. LEXWARE can custom-alphabetize, generate finder lists
(i.e. generate Y-to-X listings from an X-to-Y dictionary), check cross
references, generate sublists of entries matching or not matching specific
patterns, and so on.
LEXWARE has been used for many languages, mostly Austronesian and Amerindian
languages, but there's no reason why it can't be used for more run-of-the-mill
languages. I've been using it for about 10 years for a large-scale dictionary
project for Tuvaluan, a Polynesian language, and have been extremely happy
with it.
Niko Besnier
Dpt of Anthropology
Yale University