Abstract:
This paper focuses on the need for lexicographers to study and to treat the salient features of languages satisfactorily and the challenges
faced by lexicographers. The focus is on the challenges facing compilers of African language dictionaries and the lack of dictionaries
for these languages. It will be argued that lexicographers are expected to fulfil the role of mediators between complicated grammatical
structures, on the one hand, and the target users’ needs and expectations, on the other. Dictionaries are expected to be inclusive, e.g.,
providing for and fulfilling user expectations by giving all the required information in the dictionary in order to reduce the need for
consultation of external sources. Expectations for future compilation of paper and electronic dictionaries are discussed. It is expected
that paper dictionaries will be used in Africa for many years to come but that paper and electronic dictionaries of high lexicographic
quality should be compiled simultaneously. The discussion is presented against the background of the transition of African
lexicography from Euro-centred dictionary compilation to Afro-centric compilation. African language dictionaries are continuously
compiled in Africa, by Africans for Africans.
