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Re: Dictionary formats

From:Andreas Johansson <and_yo@...>
Date:Monday, April 1, 2002, 19:47
taliesin wrote:

>* Andreas Johansson said on 2002-03-31 15:38:48 +0200 > > A trouble with dictionaries (mine at any rate) is that they make >everything > > look like a relex. F'rinstance, the Tairezazh words _gravun_ and >_elkergast_ > > refer to quite different state structures, yet both are translated to > > English as "empire"*! > >So you have a longer description for each word stating the differences, >with crossreferences, like a real dictionary. (The multi-volume kind.) > >Here's an attempt made from your example: > >* An _elkergast_, meaning litterally "emperor-rule-ing", refers basically >to a centralized hereditary monarchy. See also _gravun_. In these terms >China 's been a _elkergast_ for most of it's history. > >* A _gravun_, from Vaikin _geraviun_ "alone-rule" usually refers to short- >lived, militarily expansionistic empires. See also _elkergast_. The Mongol >empire and the empire of Alexander the Great are examples of_gravun_.
We-ell, where I to to a proper dictionary that could safely be used by others I would be forced to do something on those lines. However, the dictionaries I actual make are primarily for my own use, and serve mainly as memory-helpers. A'course, doing a proper, alphabethic dictionary with explanations of this kind, etymological notes etc would be a great exercise. Andreas _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.