AFRILEX Workshops and Seminars
Online Seminar:
Why should curricula
incorporate lexicography?
Presented by Prof. Rufus Gouws
22 October 2026 @ 13:00 (SAST)
In lexicography, an interactive relation prevails between theory and practice. Theory is not there for the mere sake of theory, but rather to enhance the lexicographic practice. Practice does not function in isolation but displays a sound theoretical basis. The ideal situation is to have a practice-based lexicographic theory that results in theory-based lexicographic products.
Lexicographic products include dictionaries – both printed and online, but also other reference products functioning in the online environment. These products are directed at the specific needs of specific user groups and should be presented in a way that enables the envisaged target users to optimally retrieve information from the data on offer when consulting these products.
Dictionaries are the display windows of language. This places the responsibility on the lexicographer to select the required data and use appropriate structures so that the specific functions of a given dictionary can be negotiated.
Students in languages and linguistics need to become familiar with dictionaries and other lexicographic products as containers of (linguistic) knowledge. This demands good knowledge of the linguistic data to be included in dictionaries, of dictionary typology, a user-centred approach to dictionary compilation, and familiarity with the challenges and opportunities offered by the online environment and the world of Artificial Intelligence.
In this seminar, the relevance of modules and programmes in lexicography is discussed, and suggestions are made for various ways to make students aware of the possibilities offered by dictionaries and the study of metalexicography.
Workshop on Artificial Intelligence, lexicography and terminology.
1-2 October 2025
University of Pretoria
AFRILEX hosted Prof. Frieda Steurs from KU Leuven. Prof. Steurs is an internationally recognised expert in terminology, lexicography and translation, and it was indeed a privilege to draw on her expertise. Her latest publication, Taal in transformatie: Technologie, economie en de kracht van generatieve AI, was published by the Instituut voor de Nederlandse Taal. The workshop generated considerable interest and was attended by 40 delegates. Several local participants also had the opportunity to present their own work, or that of their respective institutions, on terminology—sharing new ideas, successes and challenges. On the second day, discussions focused on the proposed National Terminology Policy. During the course of the workshop, the need for a National Terminology Forum, or a similar coordinating structure, was repeatedly emphasised. Such a body would ideally coordinate terminology projects nationwide and help address the persistent challenge of duplication in the development of terminology products.
Presentations from the workshop are available below.
