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dictionary

vr.tr.dictionary · thing-q23622

Let an agent handle dictionaries by type, publisher, edition, reliability and use for definitions, translation and language learning.

Thing Registry Information and virtual systems INF.MED
Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions

Choice Which dictionary.

Type

Kind.

Type

Dictionary type.

  1. Which kind of dictionary suits this need? action
  2. Which languages or field does it cover? definition

Edition

Currency.

Edition

Edition.

  1. Which edition is it, and when was it updated? provenance
  2. Who publishes it? provenance
Entries Reading entries.

Labels

Usage labels.

Labels

Usage labels.

  1. What do labels such as informal, offensive or dated mean? definition
  2. How should they guide usage? action

Pronunciation

IPA.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation.

  1. How is the pronunciation shown, such as IPA? definition
  2. Are regional variants given? provenance
Approach Descriptive or prescriptive.

Descriptive

Usage-based.

Descriptive

Descriptive approach.

  1. Does the dictionary record usage or prescribe correctness? definition
  2. What does that mean for this word? definition

Compare

Multiple sources.

Compare

Comparison.

  1. Do major dictionaries agree on this definition? provenance
  2. Which is more current? provenance
Use Citing and access.

Cite

Citation.

Cite

Citation.

  1. How should a dictionary entry be cited? action
  2. Which style guide applies? provenance

Access

Libraries and apps.

Access

Access.

  1. Is it available free or through a library? provenance
  2. Is there an accessible format? provenance

Classifiers Filled

Family
Thing Registry
Category
Information and virtual systems
Entry kind
thing
Plane
INF
Domain
INF.MED
Other names and narrower kinds
dictionary software, phrase book, Street Dictionary, concise dictionary, hitchhiking phrasebook, pronouncing dictionary, systematic dictionary, Moroccan Darija dictionary, colloquial dictionary, sign language dictionary, proverb dictionary, translation dictionary

What it is Filled

A reference work listing the words of a language or specialised field, usually alphabetically, with definitions, pronunciations, etymologies, translations or usage notes, in print or digital form, including bilingual dictionaries.

Why it exists Filled

Let an agent handle dictionaries by type, publisher, edition, reliability and use for definitions, translation and language learning.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • Word-based reference work
  • Many types
  • Descriptive or prescriptive
  • Regularly updated

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Present one dictionary as the sole authority on all usage.
  • Use an outdated edition without saying so.
  • Copy dictionary content in breach of its licence.
  • Present an unreliable word list as an authoritative dictionary.

Only with a human decision

  • Relying on a definition to decide a legal or contractual dispute.

May

  • Look up and cite dictionary entries, naming the dictionary and edition.
  • Compare definitions across dictionaries when usage is disputed.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Dictionaries shape how words, including slurs and identity terms, are understood.

Who is affected

  • Language users and learners
  • Lexicographers and publishers

Owners Filled

Steward

The publisher or institution that compiles it.

Links to other meta-models Filled

parent

  • Q121841020 - registry parent class
  • Q13136 - registry parent class
  • Q6423319 - registry parent class
  • Q732577 - registry parent class
  • Q7725634 - registry parent class

related

  • reference work and lexicographic work - category
  • word - content
  • lexicographer - author
  • thesaurus - related work

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Vercy registry: vr.tr.dictionary
  • Wikidata: Q23622 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23622)
  • ISBN: 13 digits print editions

Direct properties not applicable Not applicable

Not applicable

Plane INF: no invented physical properties.

Recognition optional Filled

  • Headwords, definitions and labels
  • Monolingual and bilingual types
  • Thesauruses group synonyms instead
  • Printed volumes, apps and websites with alphabetical entries.

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • choose a suitable dictionary
  • read entries and usage labels
  • check spelling and pronunciation
  • cite dictionary entries

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Using outdated editions
  • Treating one dictionary as authoritative for all usage
  • Unreliable free word lists

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • ISO 1951 lexicographical symbols
  • Copyright and database rights

Context of use required Filled

  • Looking up meanings, spellings, pronunciations and translations.
  • monolingual dictionaries
  • bilingual dictionaries
  • specialised and technical dictionaries
  • learner dictionaries
  • phrasebooks and pronouncing dictionaries

Sources Filled

  1. Wikidata item Q23622: dictionary - identity and sense of the item
  2. Wikipedia: Dictionary - general description of the item

Open questions

  • Should dictionary types be separate entries?
  • How should dictionary APIs be linked?
  • How should usage labels be standardised?

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed

Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q23622/spec.json