Introducing a new lexicographical model : alphaconceptual+ (and how it could be applied to dictionaries for Luganda)

Abstract

In this article we explore the possibility of amalgamating the semasiological (i.e. alphabetical), onomasiological (i.e. conceptual) and visual approaches to dictionary compilation, here termed an alphaconceptual+ (i.e. alphaconceptual 'plus') dictionary, using Luganda as a brief case study. Such a dictionary would combine the strong points of alphabetical and conceptual lexicography, with all entries also linked to relevant picture plates. In Section 1 we expound on the history of Luganda lexicography, highlighting the different types of dictionaries in the language since the early 1900s. Section 2 is an exposition of semasiological and onomasiological lexicography. In Sections 3 and 4 we study the actual dictionary market and scholarly lexicographic literature, in Africa and the rest of the world respectively. In Section 5 a case for language-independent alphaconceptual+ lexicography is argued, and its proposed compilation approach is sketched out in Section 6, followed by the conclusion in Section 7.

Mu lupapula luno tutunuulidde obusobozi bw'okugatta enkola z'okuwandiika enkuluze omuli ey'ekiwalifu, ey'ebitegeero n'ennyinyonnyozabifaananyi, wano kye tutuumye enkuluze ennawalifubitegeero+, nga tukozesa Oluganda ng'ekyokulabirako. Enkuluze ey'engeri eno eba ejja kugatta emiganyulo gya kannankuluze ow'ekiwalifu n'ow'ebitegeero, ng'ennyingizo zonna era ziyungiddwa ku bifaananyi ebizituukirako. Mu Kitundu 1 tulombojja ebyafaayo bya kannankuluze w'Oluganda, nga tumenya ebika by'enkuluze eby'enjawulo mu Luganda okuviira ddala ku ntandikwa y'emyaka gya 1900. Ekitundu 2 kinnyonnyola kannankuluze ow'ekiwalifu n'ow'ebitegeero. Mu Kitundu 3 ne 4 tutunuulira akatale k'enkuluze kennyini mu Afrika n'ebiwandiiko by'ekiyivu ku nkuluze okwetooloola ensi yonna. Mu Kitundu 5 tuwa ensonga lwaki enkuluze ennawalifubitegeero+ yeetaagibwa mu Luganda, ne tuteesa n'engeri gy'eyinza okuwandiikibwamu mu Kitundu 6, ne tuzzaako okukubira mu Kitundu 7.