In: Zeitschrift für Angewandte Linguistik, 2013 (2013), Nr. 58. pp. 13-39. ISSN 1433-9889 (Druck-Ausg.); 2190-0191 (Online-Ausg.)

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Abstract

Firstly, Applied Linguistics is characterised as a discipline in its own right that contributes to solutions of social problems in the domain of languageand communication. After the dismissal of various expert opinions regard-ing the status of language lexicography, including the opinion that language lexicography belongs to Applied Linguistics or to one of its subdomains, scientific language lexicography is characterised as a scientific practice in all its social and medial manifestations. Its aim is the production of among others printed and electronic language dictionaries, conceptualised in accordance with dictionary functions as mono- and polyfunctional language lexicographic utility instruments (or language-directed lexico-tools) for each specific user group. This is done to enable a cultural praxis of providing the required knowledge. The controversial question whether collaborative internet language lexicography can be regarded as scientific language lexicography remains an open one. In a second step, the relations between language lexicography and Applied Linguistics are described. When learners’ dictionaries are used in foreign language teaching, language lexicography is, e. g., the data- and product-rendering discipline, whereas Applied Linguistics is the product-using and data-accepting discipline. In the professional treatment of the subject matter of language dictionaries, Applied Linguistics is the data-rendering discipline because linguistic knowledge is employed and language lexicography is the data-accepting discipline. This does not apply to the treatment of structures, for which(meta)-lexicographic knowledge is needed. In conclusion, the complete field of lexicography in all its manifestations is situated within the scientific community. It follows that, in the treatment of the subject matter of dictionaries, almost all career and scientific disciplines are data-rendering disciplines for lexicography. Corpus linguistics plays a significant role in the establishment of lexico-toolbases. All types of lexico-tools constitute the domain of the empirical subject dictionary matter of systematic metalexicography. Systematic metalexicography also has among others interdisciplinary relations as data-rendering discipline with informatics and mathematics. Therefore it should be regarded as part of information science.