A model for the macro- and microstructure of a Yipunu-French school dictionary

Abstract

In the field of the science of language, dictionaries have always been part of a standardisation process. They are also part of the expansion, the development and the promotion of languages in societies. On the other hand, the education system is an important partner for both foreign language teaching and the development of local languages in countries with a weak written tradition like Gabon. It is a strong platform for the production of dictionaries because it includes the diffusion and the application of school programmes and school manuals. Therefore, it is relevant for the Gabonese population to rely on a well-established lexicographic tradition to preserve and promote their local languages. Introducing dictionaries in the field of education can ensure this. Dictionaries have to be compiled in the Gabonese languages for Gabonese pupils learning those languages. Because each culture encourages the development of dictionaries suitable to particular difficulties, dictionaries compiled in Gabonese languages have to be made according to the Gabonese situation. The present dissertation will present a model for a bilingual school dictionary involving Yipunu, one of the Gabonese languages, and French. The aim will be to develop a model, based on metalexicographical principles, applicable to the Gabonese context. In this model the French section of the dictionary will not be active. The frame structure required in the compilation of such a model will contain a front matter, a back matter and a central list. Even if there are two treated languages, the dominant language in this dictionary will be Yipunu. French will appear only as translation equivalents. And for the convenience of the target users, the model will describe the content of a polyfunctional monodirectional bilingual Yipunu/French dictionary for Yipunu learners.