Monday, June 20, 2005

What do you need in a dictionary item

When you have an entry in an electronic dictionary like Wiktionary, what is enough to make it worthwhile to have it? The question is relevant as there are people who are of the opinion that any article that does not have extensive defenitions and etymology is substandard.

My opinion is a bit more inclusive, I would like to have extensive definitions and etymology but for me the sheer fact that a word is properly spelled is enough to have it in an electronic dictionary. The Dutch language knows an institution that does provide the authorised list of correctly spelled Dutch words. For me a list with these words would be a worthwhile contribution to the Ultimate Wiktionary. Obviously, it would be a bit meagre but it does serve its purpose.

When the correct way of spelling words changes, like it will do on the 15th of October, an electronic dictionary has a clear advantage over paper based dictionaries. It is however not clear to me how We should cover the old correct spellings. In a way it is relevant to have a history of correct spellings. It could/should be part of the database..

Thanks,
GerardM

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