Specialized dictionary

A specialized dictionary is a dictionary that covers a relatively restricted set of phenomena. The typical type of specialized dictionary is that which in English is often referred to as a technical dictionary and in German as a Fachwörterbuch.

As described in Nielsen (1994) specialized dictionaries can be classified in various ways. A dictionary that covers more than one subject field is called a multi-field dictionary; one that covers one subject field is called a single-field dictionary; and one that covers a limited part of a subject field is called a sub-field dictionary.

A specialized dictionary that attempts to cover as much of the relevant terminology as possible is called a maximizing dictionary, whereas one that attempts to cover only a limited part of the relevant terminology is called a minimizing dictionary.

Specialized dictionaries can have various functions, i.e. they can help users in different types of situation. Monolingual dictionaries can help users understand and produce texts, whereas bilingual dictionaries can help users understand texts, translate texts and produce texts, as described in e.g. Nielsen (1994) and Nielsen (2010).

Relevant literature

• Henning Bergenholtz/Sven Tarp (eds.) (1995): Manual of Specialised Lexicography. Benjamins.
• Sandro Nielsen (1994): The Bilingual LSP Dictionary. Gunter Narr.
• Sandro Nielsen (2008): "The Effect of Lexicographical Information Costs on Dictionary Making and Use". In: Lexikos 18/2008, 170-189.
• Sandro Nielsen (2010): "Specialised Translation Dictionaries for Learners". In: P. A. Fuertes-Olivera (ed): Specialised Dictionaries for Learners. Berlin/New York: de Gruyter, 69-82.

See also

• Lexigraf

External links

• Short annotated list of publications
• Center for Lexicography
• Free online vocabulary builder - creates specialized dictionaries from arbitrary text
• Free online utility - creates specialized dictionaries from word list