Our fifth Lexicom was held from 10-14 June 2005 in Brno, Czech Republic, and was splendidly hosted by Masaryk University. The 40 or so participants represented 15 countries in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, and came from many different backgrounds: publishing houses (lexicographers and editors), universities (linguists, computational linguists, computer scientists, and graduate students), software houses (software engineers and computational linguists) and research institutions.
Each seminar introduced and discussed a key topic, which was then further explored in practical exercises at the computer. As well as the basics of practical lexicography, the programme covered corpus design and annotation, the extraction of information from corpus data, and an introduction to frame semantics as a practical approach to corpus analysis. Two invited speakers presented their dictionary writing software: Philippe Climent from IDM Paris, and Gilles-Maurice de Schryver from TshwaneLex. In the parallel ‘Master Class’ sessions, Sue Atkins and Michael Rundell led a hands-on tutorial on building a lexical database and dictionary from corpus data, while the theme of Adam Kilgarriff’s tutorial was building a corpus query system on the model of his Word Sketch Engine. On the final day, the working groups presented dictionary entries they had compiled, initiating discussions of various theoretical and methodological issues.
Brno proved a delightful setting, and the guided walk around the old town followed by the Workshop dinner in a cellar beneath the Old Town Hall gave us a splendid taste of historic Moravia.
Participants write…
Thanks a lot for a great workshop that added so much to me, academically and personally. I am enthusiastic now to try and benefit from everything I learned here in studies on Arabic, and maybe in the future you will consider doing Lexicom in Egypt (preferably after 3 years when I finish my PhD and go back!).
PhD student, Egypt
The course was interestingly presented and I enjoyed the open and informed manner of all three trainers. One of the other major benefits was meeting so many people from such different places. I am glad to have been able to come.
Computer Scientist / Lexicographer, South Africa
This was a 5***** course. Exceptionally well organized, prepared and taught. The good humour throughout was also much appreciated.
University Teacher/Linguist, Wales
Thank you very much for organizing this workshop! It’s just the kind of workshop I have always wished to attend. I believe the expertise that you shared with us is invaluable for all the participants. Once again, thank you very much!
Lexicographer-Linguist-Translator-University Teacher
Thank you very much! A lot of useful information and much more good emotions. Special thanks to the organizing team at Masaryk University – Karel Pala and his colleagues.
Linguist from research institution, Slovakia
