An investigation into the formulation of a model for compiling an English-Oshikwanyama dictionary for secondary school learners

Abstract

This study emerges from the field of theoretical lexicography, also referred to as dictionary research. It is important as it focuses on the development of Oshikwanyama facets; Oshikwanyama linguistics and Oshikwanyama practical and theoretical lexicography. It can be used as a guiding tool to the compilers of future dictionaries, and it can also be of great assistance to anyone studying and understanding pertinent issues pertaining to the compilation of higher quality bilingual dictionaries for secondary school learners. The study proposes a model to be adopted in compiling a secondary school dictionary for Oshikwanyama learners. The model is of great importance as it equips the compilers of the proposed dictionary with the skills and knowledge of what to cover in the proposed dictionary. The study also reviewed the bilingual Oshikwanyama-English/English-Oshikwanyama Dictionary, published in 2019 by the Oshikwanyama Curriculum Committee to determine its relevance in terms of the criteria that can be adopted in compiling the Oshikwanyama dictionary for secondary school learners. The study’s theoretical framework comprised of three fundamental theories. The first theory, the Function theory, established by Henning Bergenholtz and Sven Tarp, is concerned with dictionary functions and the needs of the target user. Therefore, it was used to identify dictionary functions and the target users of the reviewed Oshikwanyama-English/English-Oshikwanyama Dictionary, as well as the proposed Oshikwanyama-English Dictionary for Secondary School Learners. The second theory, Text theory, proposed by Herbert Ernst Wiegand, focuses on the textual structures of dictionaries. It was used to review the structures of the Oshikwanyama-English/English-Oshikwanyama Dictionary and in identifying the structures that should be adopted to compile an Oshikwanyama dictionary for secondary school learners. The third theory, Communication theory, proposed by Herman L. Beyer, focuses on dictionaries as centres of communication. A qualitative design in the form of text analysis was employed to study the structures and contents of the reviewed Oshikwanyama-English/English-Oshikwanyama Dictionary. Systematic sampling with a random start was employed to sample the pages that serve as the centre of this study’s review. Systematic dictionary research, which consists of functional text segmentation and philological methods, was adopted. After critically reviewing the functions and structures of the Oshikwanyama-English/English-Oshikwanyama Dictionary, the findings revealed that some aspects in the frame structure of the reviewed dictionary have been well-presented while some have not been presented well, as they obstruct the target users from getting answers to their questions. Based on relevant literature and the review conducted, suggestions were made and they can be adopted to compile the proposed English-Oshikwanyama Dictionary for Secondary School learners.