The representation of phonetic-phonological information in Nguni dictionaries

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The concern of the study of phonetics and phonology is the speech sounds of languages.Phonetics is concerned with the description and the classification of speech sounds.Phonology, on the other hand is responsible for the sound patterns of speech sounds in agiven language namely, the sound inventory, permissible sequences and how the soundschange in different circumstances. This study examines and evaluates the manner inwhich phonetic-phonological information is applied in South African dictionaries withparticular reference to Nguni dictionaries.Dictionaries are regarded as authoritative linguistic tools, therefore, the phonetic-phonologicalaspects of the language is one of the important information categories that isincluded in dictionaries. A word as the linguistic unit consists of speech sounds which arein turn regarded as phonological units as well as phonetic entities. The phonetic-phonologicalsignification of the lexical unit in the dictionary entry plays a role in access tofacilitating the spoken form of the language recorded.This critical analysis and evaluation of Nguni dictionaries reflects on the currentapproaches pertaining to the presentation of both segmental and suprasegmental featuresof speech sound. Secondly, it also demonstrates the types of pronunciation informationthat is lexicographically relevant for the thorough treatment of the lemma.Although phonetic-phonological information is almost the prevalent feature of all dictionarytypes, there are problems encountered during its presentation. In the evaluation of Ngunidictionaries the treatment of pronunciation information is coupled with inadequacies andinconsistencies. This is due to the lack of lexicographic planning and the sound applicationof lexicographic principles.It is evident from the investigation that pronunciation information remains the essentialcomponent of the dictionary entry. The inclusion of phonetic-phonological informationrequires lexicographic planning that is actually based on linguistic theories that areprimarily aimed at practical lexicography. The general guidelines that are presented inthis study compel lexicographers to introduce innovative methods when handling pronunciation. The proposed approaches in future dictionaries will enhance theaccessibility of information when harmonised.It is concluded that lexicographical products in the multilingual South Africa should beginto document the spoken form of various languages for the general record of the sounds ofthe language and also for pedagogic purposes. A good phonological and phoneticdescription of the official languages is also pertinent especially in the design stage of thedictionary. The lexicographic approaches followed in the treatment of any linguisticinformation should based on the (a) functional criteria of the dictionary compiled and (b)also on the prospective user's skills.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University