Using minimal English (minimal Spanish, etc.) for non-circular learners' dictionaries

Abstract

A small 'Minimal English' vocabulary has been successfully used for writing definitions in a learners' dictionary. With this approach, there are several advantages for beginning-level L2 learners, including an easy-to-learn defining vocabulary and the elimination of circular definitions. The chapter explores the features of 'Learn These Words First', an online monolingual dictionary written using Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) and about 300 semantic molecules. The dictionary begins with short lessons and quiz questions to teach and review the meanings of the NSM primes and semantic molecules. Several metrics are used to evaluate and compare the dictionary's quality and coverage. Cross-translation of semantic molecules is discussed, as well as parallel approaches for writing learners' dictionaries in other languages.