Teaching and Learning Lexicography: Theory and Practice

Abstract

In this action research, the teaching and learning of lexicography engages with theory and practice. Obviously, the size, shape, and wordlists with compressed information for every lemma have driven people away from the dictionary. People have an impression about the tediousness and time-consuming act of producing a dictionary. This research attempts to motivate students to appreciate the art of compiling a dictionary by introducing lexicography (practice) and lexicology (theory), blending them together in order for students to have a better comprehension of this discipline. Starting with an impressionistic meaning of a word, students are then gradually exposed to theory and practice. Initially, after few practices, students are able to grasp and construct a complete lemma. It appears that through diagnosis, action planning and intervention, students are starting to change their mindset and becoming capable of relating the meticulous activity of compiling a dictionary with useful knowledge that they gain.