Some Deficiencies in the Mediostructure of "Isichazamazwi SesiNdebele"

Abstract

In this article, a descriptive and critical analysis of the mediostructure of Isichazamazwi SesiNdebele, henceforth the ISN, is given. This analysis is made within the theoretical premises of the mediostructure and its functions. The aims of the article are to shed light on the following questions: What aspects of the mediostructure are used? Why are they used? How effectively are they used to achieve text compression/condensation and text cohesion? What improvements could be made to obtain greater user-friendliness? Such an analysis, it is hoped, will, in two ways, con-tribute to the development of lexicography in general and Ndebele lexicography in particular. Firstly, it is hoped to make users aware of the importance of some guidance aspects of the medio-structure to improve dictionary use. Secondly, it is hoped the pointing out of some deficiencies and possible improvements in the ISN mediostructure will be useful for the compilation of future Nde-bele dictionaries.

Keywords: dictionary, dictionary structure, macrostructure, micro-structure, mediostructure, cross-referencing, access structure, user-friendliness, front matter, back matter