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IAS270 - Dictionary Making

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Linguistics

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

IAS364

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

Dictionaries are an essential part of language documentation and an invaluable asset in the maintenance, promotion, revitalisation and protection of cultural and linguistic diversity. They act as cultural repositories and serve to elevate the status of languages. This unit introduces the craft of dictionary-making, by considering the purposes with which dictionaries are designed, as well as practical applications and skills involved in the compilation of dictionaries. Students in this unit will critically appraise lexicographic resources, and gain skills in designing and developing dictionary resources, including using a range of software and database tools for dictionary work and language material management. The unit considers various kinds of dictionaries of major world languages, and has a special focus on non-dominant and underdescribed languages, particularly First Nations languages of Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Describe and evaluate a range of lexicographic resources and their applications, with particular attention to dictionaries of non-dominant languages.
2.	Implement knowledge of central design issues in lexicography, including macrostructual and microstructural elements of dictionary design.
3.	Describe, explain and apply best-practice strategies of linguistic data collection, organisation and storage.
4.	Identify relevant software for dictionary-making and lexical data management, and develop skills in searching language corpora for relevant material.
5.	Apply dictionary-making design theory to create draft macrostructural and microstructural (dictionary entry) elements for particularly languages and language contexts.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Learning reflection (300 words)	10%	1,2
2.	Presentation (10 minutes)	15%	1,3,4
3.	Dictionary Plan (Report) (1,000 words)	35%	2,3,5
4.	Dictionary project (1,500 words)	40%	1,2,3,4,5

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	INT-6	Internal	Danala - Education and Community Precinct	OLR	View
2026	INT-6	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

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