Compiling a dictionary of an unwritten language: A non-corpus-based approach

Abstract

In this article an account is given of the experience in field work by the Dictionary of the Flemish Dialects (Woordenboek van de Vlaamse Dialecten, WVD), Ghent University, Belgium. The focus is on the practical aspects with regard to methods of lexicographic fieldwork. It is maintained that the analysis of 'metalinguistical conversations' with groups of respondents in which their lexicographic competence is explored, is a suitable way of collecting lexicographic data. Fieldwork by correspondence (questionnaires) can amplify and verify the data collected through interviews.