Lexicography, Culture and Mediation. Or Why a Good Lexicographer Must Also Be a Good Cultural Mediator

• Published in: Lexikos Vol. 33; no. 2; p. 95
• Main Author: Curcio, Ma
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sabinet Online 01-01-2023
• Subjects: Mediation; Germany
• ISSN: 1684-4904
• DOI: 10.5788/33-2-1842

Culture-bound items are often omitted in lexicographic resources, and when they are present, they are rarely described in an appropriate way, especially in bilingual dictionaries: the listed equivalents often do not reflect the meaning of the cultural word precisely, usage examples may be missing and above all — especially for a non-native speaker — important information on the cultural level is omitted (Nied Curcio 2020). Communication problems and misunderstandings which are triggered not by divergences on the linguistic level, but on the cultural level, can arise between speakers of different languages and cultures. Specific cultural knowledge and an advanced level of intercultural competence are required. Mediation of texts and concepts and using mediation strategies can provide significant input developing the lexicographer's intercultural competence, which is essential for an adequate lexicographic description of cultural aspects. Mediators often resort to their plurilinguistic and pluricultural repertoire and use mediation strategies. The same skills can also be harnessed by lexicographers for adequate and successful descriptions of culture-bound items in lexicographic resources. In this article the focus is on the concept of mediation; the Companion Volume of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (2018) shows parallels in the requirements of skills between mediators and lexicographers, and advocates the use of mediation strategies by lexicographers to ensure that cultural information is adequately represented in the dictionary.