Indian
languages have a long and glorious tradition of lexicographical work. Different
types of dictionaries serving different purposes have been prepared at different
times. Work on many dictionary projects is in progress under various agencies.
But in spite of this, a large amount of work still remains to be done in the field.
We do not have many types of dictionaries to meet different requirements. The
existing dictionaries do not reflect the modern developments in the field of linguistics
and lexicography. (Kelkar 1980, 229-234).
With
the growing use of Indian languages in the field of education, administration
and mass communication the need of dictionaries assumes special importance. It
becomes al the more necessary considering the large number of languages spoken
in the country.
Lexicography
is developing as a branch of applied linguistics. It is gradually being given
its due place in the teaching programme of linguistics in the country.
There has
been a widely felt need of professionalizing lexicographic work and for this purpose
there is a need for imparting training to the persons engaged in lexicographical
work.
The
present work deals with the theory and practice of lexicography from the point
of view of Indian languages and attempts to meet some of the needs in the field
of lexicography.
The
work is primarily designed as a basic book, giving the theoretical background
and practical guidelines for different types of dictionaries. The matter presented
takes in view the methodology of dictionary making in general that is for different
types of dictionaries, with special focus on a general purpose monolingual dictionary.
The problems of bilingual dictionaries, with reference to Indian languages, have
been discussed separately. The problems of the dictionaries of unwritten and tribal
languages have been treated in greater details. Also given more emphasis are the
practical aspects of dictionary making.
The
first chapter deals with the general nature of lexicography and its relationship
with different branches of linguistics. The theory of lexicology and its application
to lexicographical work has also been discussed. The second chapter describes
the types of dictionaries. In the third chapter is given an account of meaning,
its different types and components as also different approaches to meaning, all
form the point of view of its treatment in dictionaries. Chapter 4 to 6 deal with
the practical aspects of lexicography, which have been divided into three phases
viz. (1) the preparation (including planning, collection of materials and selection
of entries) discussed in the 4the chapter, (2) the editing proper (setting of
entries) described in the 5th chapter, and (3) preparation of press copy dealt
with in the 6th chapter. The seventh chapter is devoted to the description of
technical details relating to the notation and format of the dictionaries. The
eighth chapter deals with the problems of bilingual dictionaries.
The
work contains a select checklist of important dictionaries in Indian languages.
Some entries from different types of dictionaries have been reproduced in appendix.
They may provide some guidelines for those in the field.