Paper short abstract:

This presentation discusses the development of the online dictionary from a simple dictionary resource through its transformation into a multilingual tool for JSL/JFL learners. The addition of a reverse bilingual dictionary is expected to extend the usefulness of this resource.

Paper long abstract:

This presentation looks at how dictionaries as a study tool have evolved in the era of large digital databases and online processing tools. While the traditional paper-based dictionary is still useful, online dictionaries have expanded the uses and kinds of information available to learners. Based on the presenter's experience with developing the online Reading Tutor project, we will outline the ways the online dictionary can provide a richer, more varied learning environment for JSL／JFL learners. Paper-based dictionaries have restrictions on the quantity of information they can provide based on limitations of physical space. With the advent of Internet technology some of these limitations have been eliminated. An Internet based system gives access to large databases and sophisticated processing tools. For these reasons, online dictionaries can provide not only the traditional content of paper based dictionaries, but they can also provide numerous example sentences for specific semantic meanings of a word, the word and its possible collocations, notes on grammatical use, and idiomatic or common phrasal uses of the word. Beyond this general information on words and word meanings, the Reading Tutor tool is able to select material and vocabulary at an appropriate level for leaners based on the learner's previous records. This function has created a dynamic learning environment that more closely adapts to an individual learner's needs. Moreover, the online Reading Tutor dictionary project has moved into bilingual or multi-lingual translations to serve a range of learners from different language backgrounds. With cooperation from Japanese language educators with different language backgrounds, a reverse bilingual dictionary tool is currently being developed. This will allow learners to find a word in one language by looking for the word in their known language. Despite the advances in this project, several problems remain. One of the issues is the semantic coverage of words that varies from language to language. It will be necessary to identify those aspects of words that are essential for differentiating meaning. The presentation today will look at these kinds of developments in online dictionary tools and offer insights into potential uses for the future.