| Abstract |
This paper discusses the optimal lexicographical treatment of certain types of collocation in English monolingual learners' dictionaries. The phrases involved are those which have the grammatical structure VERB + NOUN, and in which the verbal component is a high-frequency delexicalized verb, specifically do, give, have, make or take. The phrases themselves incorporate one of the usual meanings of the noun, as in make an effort and have a wash, rather than being semantically opaque. Suggested optimal dictionary coverage is compared with actual dictionary presentation in the latest print (but not electronic) editions of the five major advanced-level dictionaries. Topics discussed include: where and how phrases are presented (in terms of both dictionary macro-structure and entry micro-structure); optimal presentation seen in terms of probable look-up tasks; quantitative coverage of the phrases; and the raising of learner awareness of this particular phrasal type and, more generally, of high-frequency delexica verbs. |
| BibTex |
@InProceedings{ELX06-116,
author = {Stephen Coffey},
title = {'Delexical Verb + Noun' Phrases in Monolingual English Learners' Dictionaries },
pages = {939-949},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 12th EURALEX International Congress},
year = {2006},
month = {sep},
date = {6-9},
address = {Torino, Italy},
editor = {Elisa Corino, Carla Marello, Cristina Onesti},
publisher = {Edizioni dell'Orso},
isbn = {88-7694-918-6},
} |
