Enhancing Lexicographic Work with Terminological Method

This paper explores the potential impact of terminology science on lexicographers’ daily activities and, consequently, on the quality of dictionaries. With a focus on lexicographic purposes, we aim to demonstrate how terminological methods can enhance the organization, structure, and description of terms in general language dictionaries. Specifically, we differentiate between lexical units and terms, employing a terminology-based methodology to represent and organize knowledge and describe terms in both conceptual and linguistic dimensions. By incorporating these methods, lexicographers can improve the accuracy and clarity of dictionary definitions and explanations.
Our study uses examples from the field of Geology, including various related concepts such as <ChronostratigraphicUnit> and <GeochronologicUnit>, sourced from the Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa Contemporânea (DLPC), and updated in the Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa (DLP). Through the application of terminological methods to these concepts, we illustrate their impact on refining lexicographic content. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on enhancing the scientificity and uniformity of specialized lexicographic content within general language dictionaries, providing insights that can inform future lexicographic practices.