Chapter 8
Lexicon
Find a dictionary that uses glosses as lemmas and one that organizes lemmas based on the form of signs. For both dictionaries describe the elements given below:
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the way in which the signs are visualized;
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the information that is provided about the signs;
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the items for which spoken language and for which sign language is used and the ratio of use of the two languages in the dictionary.
Look, for example, at the website of www.spreadthesign.com. This website uses lemmas in alphabetical order based on a selected (spoken) language. Compare this with the BSL on-line dictionary that provides more information and variation http://bslsignbank.ucl.ac.uk/dictionary/. The Auslan on-line http://www.auslan.org.au/ also provides information about the areas in which the signs are used. The hardback Auslan dictionary (1998) is organized according to handshape. See example page below for the spread handshape.
This assignment should lead to a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of different systems.