Reflections on the Slovenian Dictionary User Study of 2018: What does it tell us?

Abstract

This paper reports on a qualitative study of dictionary use at the School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, during which nine students were given look-up tasks with the online Merriam–Webster Learner’s Dictionary. The study employed a combination of research methods: semi-structured oral interviews and the researchers’ direct observation of the participants as they looked up words. As the students completed these tasks, they were observed and questioned about their habits of dictionary use, their lookup experience, and their perceptions of the utility and quality of the dictionary definitions and examples. The results provide insight into the efficacy of the specific dictionary used. In addition, the study reveals much about how these students regard dictionaries and how they approach their use. Many of the participants had no relationship with dictionaries and no real understanding of their purpose. Their comments demonstrate that they are “demanding” users with very firm ideas and high expectations about the type of information they wish to receive in an online dictionary – and how they prefer to have it delivered. Some recommendations are made for those involved in learner lexicography concerning the improvement of part-of-speech information to make lookup easier, improvement of dictionary examples and improvement of the way dictionary information is presented. This paper also discusses what the takeaways are for concerned dictionary makers; in particular, it will reflect on how students should be taught about dictionaries today – if we still want them to use dictionaries tomorrow.