“Media Dictionary of Current Key Words” as a new type of lexicographic source

The article states the necessity of existence for a new format of dictionaries – a usage one. Such a necessity is explained with sufficient changes in language reality where the contemporary language functions and is formed. The prerequisites for appearance of this idea are, firstly, a long-existing need to create the so-called topical dictionaries which would reflect the speech, not the language; secondly, the change of prior resource for the language transformation: the main source of renewal and supply for the language system is media discourse nowadays; thirdly, the increase of information flow and, as a consequence, the speed of emergence of word which are called current key words; fourthly, the appearance of a technological foundation which is able to create and support such a dictionary. The authors incorporate their project – Media Dictionary of Current Key Words – into the history of existence and development of the Russian lexicographic system. They also prove that this work absolutely corresponds to the traditions of the Russian lexicographic thought because the Media Dictionary is based on the basic achievements of the lexicographic science, with new functions which appeared due to the technical progress and the renewal of the technological foundation: electronic storage of information, immediate input of information about new connotations, feedback from the scientific and professional community and so on. The detailed review of literature and the description of methods for creating the dictionary entry in the dictionary of a new type are accompanied with practically focused explanations of single key word representations within a dictionary entry in the Media Dictionary of Current Key Words project as a practice for corresponding theoretical statements. The article presents the structure of the dictionary entry, analyzes the supporting data presenting the word’s definition. Special attention is paid to the innovations connected with the development of dictionary entry metalanguage: representations of phatic overtones within the lexical meaning of the word as well as a cultural and historical note which transforms an edition linguistic in its nature into a culturally and socially significant project. The conclusion is made about the relevance of the usage lexicographic project, as well as about the unique features of the presentation of the linguistic description of current key words as part of a mental map of modernity.