This page is part of the Proceedings of Wikimania 2006 (Index of presentations)

Wiktionary: Nuts and bolts, bells and whistles

Leader Betsy Megas
Track Projects and Content
License GNU Free Documentation License (details)
About the workshop leader
Betsy Megas (Dvortygirl) is a mechanical engineer by profession and a volunteer lexicographer and English teacher by hobby. Involved in Wiktionary since 2003, she focuses on definitions, audio pronunciation, and idioms, in between playing with whatever catches her fancy that day.
Abstract
This workshop explores the different elements of a good dictionary. In a multimedia environment where space is not limited, a wider variety of information can join traditional dictionary content such as definition, pronunciation and etymology. For instance, Wiktionary already includes translations, audio, images and other matter not found in print dictionaries. An electronic dictionary may also contain citations, anagrams, synonyms, antonyms, categories, regional variations, and rhymes, where a paper one could not. The workshop will lead participants through creation of these elements in the context of an electronic dictionary and consider the purpose of each element.

Participants will help to create articles focusing on many article features, including:

  • Definitions. Writing concise and accurate definitions.
  • Etymology. Hazards of folk etymology and the need for cautious research.
  • Pronunciation. A science in itself, briefly examined here.
  • Synonyms, antonyms, related terms, thesauri.
  • Translations and meanings.
  • Citations, examples, and usage notes.
  • Categories and links.
  • Anagrams and other goodies.
  • Multimedia, community and other non-traditional dictionary content.
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