Abstract
M.A.
This dissertation is an investigation into the lexicographical treatment of synonymy
in Afrikaans explanatory dictionaries - especially the Verklarende Handwoordeboek
van die Afrikaanse Taal (HAT). It is divided into two chapters of theoretical discussion,
a chapter of practical examples from HAT and a final chapter with conclusions
and suggestions for improvement.
Chapter two discusses the concept of 'meaning'. In order to arrive at an understanding
of 'meaning', it is necessary to have a measure knowledge of some aspects of the
theory. First of all there will be a brief discussion of the theory of reference and cognitive/
descriptive meaning.
A lexicographer should describe the conceptual sense of a word. In order to do this he
uses sense relations, namely hyponymy, antonymy and synonymy. These relations are
interdependent. Hyponymy and antonymy will be touched on briefly, while synonymy
will be discussed thoroughly. As far as synonymy is concerned there will be, among
other aspects, a discussion of the concept 'synonymy', the difference between absolute
and near-synonymy and polysemy and homonymy.
Chapter three lists the lexicographical criteria in terms of which synonymy must be
applied in a dictionary. In this chapter there will be a look at aspects such as the guide
to the use of the dictionary (front matter), synonym definitions, the arrangement of
synonyms, contextual information and a consistant cross-reference. The system according to which syonymy must be applied in a dictionary must be thoroughly explained in the front matter. In the case of synonym definitions every synonym must be
taken up as a lemma and supplied with a lexicographic definition. The member of a
synonym paradigm with the highest use frequency must be supplied with a lexicographic definition, while the other members of a synonym paradigm get synonym
definitions.
With reference to chapter three, chapter four deals with an evaluation of the application
of synonymy in HAT. All the criteria in chapter three will be discussed on the
basis of examples from HAT.A main conclusion reached, is that the criteria are not
always maintained. In many cases the criteria are correctly maintained, but deviations
of the criteria are, inter alia: not all the synonyms are taken up as lemmas;
cross-references are not always correct and consistant; the lexicographic definition is
placed with the wrong lemma; the members of a synonym paradigm are not arranged
according to the highest use frequency.
Chapter five gives a summary of the conclusions regarding criteria. There are also
suggestions for improvement, regarding the application of synonymy in the case of
multi-word lexical units and sublexical units.
Lexicographers are working on a central data base for Afrikaans, The main problem
with dictionaries, namely inconsistant cross-referencing, will be reduced if such a
data base functions as the basis for lexicographic activity.