Students of economics and business as target users of bilingual (professional) dictionaries

Abstract

A dictionary is definitely an important tool for a student of a foreign language. By using a learner’s dictionary a user is able to widen their foreign language competency; in cluding communicative as well as multicultural competence, both of extreme importance in today’s globalized world. The majority of bilingual specialised dictionaries are designed as a tool for experts who are engaged in the same profession, but speak different mother tongues. Therefore they are designed as dictionaries with the listed entry in the initial language and the equivalent in the target language.

Dictionaries, which are designed for experts, are not really helpful to students be cause bare equivalents do not offer any further information. As beginners in particular specialised profession students need additional information in order to successfully code and decode specialised texts in a foreign language. Their specialised lexicography in a mother tongue as well as in a foreign language is in a process of being set up. Therefore bilingual specialised dictionaries should offer more in students specific learning enviro nment – anything from accompanying explanations to dictionary texts with richer and well structured microstructure.