| Abstract: |
This paper presents the results of an analysis of 88 popular Internet dictionaries extracted from two dictionary ranking lists. The dictionaries are examined with a focus on formal criteria: aspects of the access to and the presentation of the dictionary data, aspects of usability, and aspects of user involvement. Emphasis is put on special-field dictionaries. The results show that most dictionaries allow for
a quick access to the general dictionary "article", where items are presented in a static way. However, if the user prefers a more detailed expert search mode fitted to his individual question, or a dynamic, personalized article layout, he or she will be disappointed: although being called for by theoretical lexicography, advanced access and presentation features are not well-established in popular internet dictionaries at the end of the "noughties". This applies to most of the general dictionaries, and to the special-field dictionaries in particular, and it has hardly changed compared to earlier studies. |