Macrostructural properties and access structures of LSP e-dictionaries for translation: the technical domain

This contribution enlarges upon the topic of macrostructures and access structures in LSP e-lexicography, paying special attention to the technical domain and translation-oriented usage. Whereas dictionary microstructures and mediostructures have so far been at the centre of research concerning LSP, macrostructures have been taken into consideration only incidentally and not in a systematic way. This paper proposes an evaluation framework for macrostructures of e-lexicographic tools on the grounds of different, combinable criteria, and applies this framework to a set of online and offline available resources. Against this background, the paper argues in favour of more in-depth studies on the role of macrostructures and access structures in the development of new methods for terminology management and description, especially under consideration of the quantitative predominance of the technical domain.