Capitalisation d'une ressource en or : le dictionnaire

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to explore extensions to electronic dictionaries. Adding certain functions could considerably extend the range of tasks for which they could provide support. Putting the needed information at the distance of a mouse click would allow for active reading. This would require tight coupling of the dictionary with a text editor: all the information in the dictionary should be accessible via a mouseclick. Dictionaries combined with a flashcard system and an exercise generator could support the memorization and automation of words and syntactic structures. Finally, structuring the dictionary in a way akin to the human mind (associative network) could help the writer to find new ideas, and if needed, the word he is looking for. In sum, rather than considering the dictionary just as another component of the process of language production or comprehension chain, we consider it as the single most important resource, provided that one knows how to use it