Electronic lexicography and multilingual pedagogies: A perspective from higher education in South Africa

Abstract

The electronic lexicographical landscape in South Africa is diverse, with dictionary projects, ranging from standard and pedagogical, to LSP dictionaries in various languages. The article explores a heterogeneity with regard to the development of South African online LSP lexicography in various contexts, with a focus on higher education in an emerging e-society. The impetus for development of LSP lexicography in higher education is described. Higher education institutions reacted in response to language policies in higher education directed to them and subsequently LSP dictionaries were compiled. Similarly, LSP dictionaries were compiled in a multilingual higher education environment as response to challenges in the learning environment, thus creating opportunities for multilingual pedagogies and practices. Suggestions are made for the use of multilingual LSP products in multilingual learning environments.