A typology of English monolingual dictionaries for nonnative learners

Abstract

The typological classification is one of the features that define the primarily characteristics of dictionaries, together with the user’s profile and the work’s function. Classifying a reference work according to a typology is useful for the dictionary compiler, for the metalexicographer, and for the dictionary user. However, despite the importance of this lexicographical tool, on the one hand, available typologies do not account for the specificity presented by English monolingual dictionaries for non-native learners; on the other hand, there are few studies that systematically explore the diversity of lexicographical works intended for these type of users. In view of this, in this paper, we aim at developing a typology of these dictionaries, based on reference works already published by Cambridge, Longman, and Oxford presses. In order to do so, we designed a typology that takes into account functional and linguistic criteria, and that suffices to encompass the broad range of English monolingual dictionaries for non-native learners available. We conclude by showing that the typology we built makes it possible to classify these dictionaries according to their formal features, while still considering the other factors that entail the main features of a dictionary – the user’s profile and the work’s function.