Dear Colleagues,



I have been a member of the DSNA for some years now, but only just joined
this e-mail group. I’m still reading up on past messages (700 of them!), so
give me some time to ‘settle in’.



For now, allow me to post the latest news from our sister association in
Africa: AFRILEX. See below.



Lexicographic greetings,

Gilles-Maurice.



------------------------------



You are cordially invited to attend the 11th International AFRILEX
Conference, Pre-Conference Workshop and Panel Discussions that will be held
at the University of Venda for Science and Technology, this July in South
Africa.



NEW WEB ADDRESS FOR AFRILEX

Please note that Afrilex has a new web address:
http://afrilex.africanlanguages.com/



EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS

The deadline for submissions of abstracts has been extended to 31 May 2006.
Presenters must please send their 500-800 word abstracts by e-mail to Elsabé
Taljard (elsabe.taljard@...) on or before the due date.



PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

* Dates: 3 & morning of 4 July 2006

* Theme: Principles and Practice of South African Lexicography

* Presenters: Prof. Rufus Gouws (University of Stellenbosch) and Prof. Danie
Prinsloo (University of Pretoria)

* During this workshop, fundamental issues in South African lexicography
will be discussed. The discussion will be based on the newly-published
(2005) book Principles and Practice of South African Lexicography by R.H.
Gouws and D.J. Prinsloo. Themes that will be addressed include the
following: Material collection and corpus building, the user-perspective,
the frame structure of dictionaries, macrostructural and microstructural
aspects, definitions, equivalent relations and the access structure.



PANEL DISCUSSIONS

* Date: afternoon of 4 July 2006

* Theme 1: Electronic Dictionaries for African Languages (Chairperson: Prof.
Sonja Bosch)

When thinking of dictionaries, the first thing that usually comes to mind is
paper dictionaries – space constraints, expensive to print, heavy to carry,
bulky to store, cumbersome for look-up, especially for newcomers to the
field of African languages. But what does the future in the context of human
language technologies and digital communication hold for dictionaries in the
African languages? This question will be the central issue of the panel
discussion. Panellists include international experts in the field of
electronic dictionaries as well as experts in the field of African languages
and lexicography.

* Theme 2: Publishers and Lexicographers (Chairperson: Prof. Rufus Gouws)

In this panel discussion representatives of different publishing houses will
have the opportunity to say something about the lexicographic endeavours and
plans of their respective companies.



CONFERENCE DATES, VENUE AND THEME

* Dates: 5-7 July 2006

* Venue: University of Venda for Science and Technology, Thohoyandou, South
Africa

* Conference Theme: “The user perspective in lexicography”



CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

* Prof. Wlodzimierz Sobkowiak (Poland). For more information on this keynote
speaker, please visit: http://elex.amu.edu.pl/~sobkow/

* Prof. Herbert Chimhundu (Zimbabwe). For more information on this keynote
speaker, please visit: http://www.uz.ac.zw/units/alri/staff/chimhundu.htm



REGISTRATION FEES

* CONFERENCE

Members: R650 / 108 USD

Non-members: R700 / 116 USD

The registration fee includes the conference folders, conference abstracts
booklets, lunches, as well as tea and refreshments in the mornings and
afternoons on 5-7 July 2006.

* PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

R600 / 99 USD. The registration fee includes a copy of the book Principles
and Practice of South African Lexicography by Gouws, R.H. and Prinsloo, D.J.
2005. Stellenbosch: SUN PReSS.

* Please note: It is compulsory for presenters of papers and special
sessions to register in advance (before 20 June 2006).



CONFERENCE EXCURSION

An excursion to the Kruger National Park will be undertaken on 5 July 2006.
The bus fare is R200 / 33 USD and should be paid together with the
registration fee. The entrance fee, however, can only be paid on entering
the park. Please make provision for this. Entrance fee: R120 / 20 USD



CONFERENCE DINNER

6 July 2006, R185 / 31 USD per person



CONFERENCE ORGANISATION

Direct all correspondence to the Local Conference Organiser, Mr S.L.
Tshikota, Editor-in-Chief of the Tshivenda National Lexicography Unit,
University of Venda for Science and Technology, Private Bag X5050,
Thohoyandou, 0950 Republic of South Africa. Tel.: +27 (0) 15 962 8327 //
Fax: +27 (0) 15 962 8327 // E-mail: stshikota@...



For more information as well as the latest on all AFRILEX activities, please
refer to http://afrilex.africanlanguages.com/



Looking forward to seeing you in South Africa this July!



AFRILEX greetings.





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