Re: Preliminary Dictionary Database

Gary Shannon wrote:
> For my collaborative conlang project (tentatively named "Tazhi") I am building
> a database and server-side scripting to display the dictionary entries. The
> idea is to have each word define IN the conlang, except for some minimal core
> vocabulary which could be defined in a number of different natlangs so that the
> dictionary would be accessible to anyone no matter what natlang they speak.
>
> This design is VERY preliminary, and at the moment the sample words and
> definitions are all in English. In the real thing there would be NO English at
> all on the page, only conlang words defined IN the conlang. Each word in the
> definition is linked to that word's own definition.
>
> I'm not sure how to set up entries for core vocabulary words to make them
> independent if the views own natlang. Perhaps a viewer could choose their
> natlang and then all core words definitions would be shown in their chosen
> natlang.
>
> Obviously the page will need a mechanism for users to add words and
> definitions, but I haven't gotten that far with it yet.
>
> I would appreciate any comments, suggestions, criticisms, and ideas for how to
> make it all work.
>
> Here's the preliminary sample: http://fiziwig.com/tazhi/view_def.php
>
> Thanks in advance for any comments and ideas.
Some kind of categorical organization would be useful. Having all the
words for numbers in one index, the words for shapes in another index, a
section on geographical terms, another for parts of the body...

Traditional dictionaries are organized for easily looking up words you
don't know in order to find a definition. For a collaborative conlang,
you need to be able to find a word when you know the definition. But
without an index of meanings in English, this gets harder the more words
are defined. So if this is to be usable by English speakers and
non-English-speakers alike, there should be a framework for organizing
the vocabulary by meaning.

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