Beyond Meaning in General Purpose Dictionaries: Teaching Ndebele Gramma Using Isichasamazwi sesiNdebele

Abstract

This article calls for a user-oriented approach when lexicographers contemplate on the provision of information types in monolingual GPDs and then maximum utilisation of the dictionaries which is attained if users go beyond meaning, the primary information provided by GPDs. More emphasis is usually given to meaning such that users do not consider the importance of the other information types. In this article focus is given to the provision of grammar in dictionaries, with the article going on to propose the use of Isichazamazwi SesiNdebele, henceforth the ISN, in teaching Ndebele grammar at school level. There being no comprehensive grammar text book in Ndebele, the writer recommends the use of the dictionary which, however, should not be viewed as text book but a reference resource that can contribute in the teaching of Ndebele grammar and other language development exercises in the long term.