Browsing by Author "Shikesho, Edward"

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    A critical evaluation of English-Kwanyama dictionary by G.W.R. Tobias and B.H.C. Turvey
    (University of Namibia, 2019) Shikesho, Edward
    This study is based in the field of theoretical lexicography also known as dictionary research. It is significant because it aims at the development of Oshiwambo practical and theoretical lexicography. It evaluates the bilingual English-Kwanyama Dictionary that was published in 1954 by two missionaries who settled at Oukwanyama between 1924 and 1950. The purpose of selecting this dictionary is because there is no other recent and up-to-date Oshikwanyama dictionary available. The latest Oshikwanyama dictionary that was produced in 1977 (Kwanyama-English Dictionary) is currently out of print and unavailable. In this study‘s theoretical framework two salient theories that dominate both practical and theoretical lexicography are employed. The first theory is that of Sven Tarp and Henning Bergenholtz, the Function theory, which deals with dictionary functions as well as the user needs. The second theory is that of Herbert Ernst Wiegand, the Text theory, which deals with the textual structures of dictionaries. While the Function theory is used in this study in identifying the functions and the target users of English-Kwanyama Dictionary, the Text theory is used in analysing the structures (frame structures, macrostructures and microstructures) of English-Kwanyama Dictionary. Furthermore, this study employs a qualitative design in a form of text analysis in studying the structures and contents of English-Kwanyama Dictionary. Systematic sampling with a random start is used in sampling the pages that serve as the heart of the analysis for this study. The sampled pages are then entered in the corpus for focused scrutiny. In analysing the data, systematic dictionary research, which includes functional text segmentation as well as philological methods, is adopted. After critically evaluating the structures and functions of English-Kwanyama Dictionary, this study reveals that some sections in both the macrostructures and microstructures have been presented well, while some have not been well presented, as they obstruct the users in providing answers to their questions. Therefore, suggestions have been made for the improvement of future Oshikwanyama dictionaries. Suggestions are made based on the two theories, the Function theory and the Text theory, on which dictionary features to be included and which to leave out for the dictionary purposes to prevail in future Oshikwanyama dictionaries.
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    Evaluation of article structure components in English-Kwanyama Dictionary (EKD) with reference to the target users
    (University of Namibia, 2018) Shikesho, Edward
    This paper evaluates the article structure components in English-Kwanyama Dictionary (EKD) with reference to the target users. For any bilingual dictionary to satisfy the needs of the target users, it should be user-friendly. Important aspects that have to be considered when one compiles a bilingual dictionary are, among others, orthography, pronunciation, inflections, parts of speech, and translation equivalents. All these aspects are all parts of the microstructure (Gouws, 2002; Gouws & Prinsloo, 2005; Svensén, 2009). A target user should also be defined in any bilingual dictionary, and should be indicated in the dictionary’s front matter texts (Gouws & Prinsloo, 2005). EKD was compiled in 1954, about four and half decades ago, and there is no comprehensive research done to analyse its quality. The study’s theoretical frameworks are the Function Theory and the Text theory. Sven Tarp and Henning Bergenholtz are the leading proponents of the Function theory which was established in the late 1980s, and deals with dictionary functions and the user needs. The Text theory, proposed by Herbert Ernst Wiegand in the 1990s, deals with dictionaries’ textual structures. It is a qualitative study in a form of text analysis. Systematic dictionary research, which consists of two types, functional text segmentation as well as philological methods, is adopted. The findings reveal that EKD has become old and much needs to be improved in terms of aspects such as orthography. EKD’s target users are not defined in the dictionary’s front matter text, therefore, this paper recommends that lexicographers should define their target users in their future dictionaries’ front matter texts. They should also take into consideration the correct presentation of article structure aspects, based on the comment on form and the comment on semantics, such as spelling, parts of speech indication, lemma inflection, morphology and translation equivalents.
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    The treatment of equivalent relations in English-Kwanyama dictionary
    (University of Namibia, 2018) Shikesho, Edward; Mbenzi, Petrus A.
    This paper investigates the treatment of equivalent relations in English-Kwanyama Dictionary (EKD) by G. W. R. Tobias and B. H. C Turvey compiled in 1954. For any bilingual dictionary to satisfy the needs of the target users, it should treat the equivalent relations effectively (Gouws, 2002; Gouws & Prinsloo, 2005 & Svensén, 2009). Although EKD was compiled 65 years ago, it seems no comprehensive study has been conducted to evaluate its effectiveness. Hence this paper is an attempt to evaluate its treatment and the effectiveness of equivalent relations. The paper is couched on the text theory of Herbert Ernst Wiegand which deals with dictionary textual structures, function theory developed by Sven Tarp, and Henning Bergenholtz that focuses on dictionary functions as well as the user needs. In addition, lexicographic theory of communication developed by Beyer (2014) is employed to analyse EKD purposes. The findings reveal that full equivalence is treated well in EKD, but partial equivalence and zero equivalence have not been presented effectively in EKD. This paper recommends that EKD be revised extensively to present all types of equivalent relations adequately.