A Functional Analysis of the e-WAT with Specific Focus on the Mobile Version: Towards a Model for Improvement

Abstract

Lexicography's identity crisis leads to a shift towards electronic lexicographic tools. The rise of mobile phone and smartphone usage in South Africa also creates the opportunity for lexicographers to exploit a new market. This article looks at the current state of Afrikaans mobile dictionaries as an opportunity to delve into this market. The electronic WAT is analysed by primarily applying the function theory to show where user needs must be addressed. This leads to a model for improvement of this and possibly all other mobile dictionaries in South Africa.

Keywords

• afrikaans
• applications
• e-dictionaries
• e-lexicography
• elec-tronic lexicography
• function theory
• mobile dictionary
• mobile phone
• lexicographic tools
• south african lexicography
• wat