MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
HAFL 402: DEVELOPMENTS IN LEXICOGRAPHY
MODULE OUTLINE
LECTURER: M. MAPHOSA (ROOM 66)
E-MAIL: maphosam@msu.ac.zw
1.0. PREAMBLE
This module focuses on dictionaries in general and specifically looks at three aspects of
dictionaries i.e. the practice or profession of compiling dictionaries (practical
lexicography, the evaluation of the products of lexicography (dictionary criticism) and
lastly the theory of lexicography which also informs the already mentioned perspectives
of lexicography (metalexicography).
2.0. OBJECTIVES
This module is geared towards empowering the student with the necessary skills of
analyzing language in use by following the following objectives:
 Defining lexicography within the broad domain of linguistics.
 Examining the process of dictionary making and the nature of the final product.
 Outlining the history and development of lexicography in Ndebele and Shona.
 Evaluating lexicographic works within the framework of dictionary using culture,
user-friendliness and principles of dictionary making.
 Critiquing the case studies of Shona/Ndebele lexicographic projects with a view
of assessing their ‘standards’ and user-friendliness.
3.0. TOPICS TO BE COVERED
3.1. Defining lexicography and linking it to other related disciplines.
3.2. Definition of terms.
3.3. Typological classification of dictionaries.
3.4. Elements of a dictionary.
3.5. The process of dictionary making.
3.6. The corpus in lexicography
3.7. Dictionaries and Specialized Terminology
3.8. Dictionaries and The Standardization of Languages.
3.9. Dictionaries and Culture
3.10. Conducting fieldwork in dictionary making.
3.11. Case studies of Ndebele/Shona monolingual dictionaries.
4.0. METHODOLOGY
Varied methods and techniques will be adopted in this module. Some of the methods and
techniques include lectures, discussions, student presentations, practical hands-on
sessions and tutorials.
5.0. ASSESSMENT
Student assessment in this module is in two forms i.e. continuous coursework, which
contributes 25% to the final grade and end of semester examination, which contributes
the other 75%. Students are reminded that attendance of lectures is COMPULSORY.
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