austraLasia 826
Lexisdb: Formation and Translation tool
available
ROME: 12th April -- It is Easter
and time for all things new. Lexisdb
(pronounced Lexis-db) is new. Try it to see what its potential could be,
and also its practical use for you from time to time. You will find Lexisdb at www.bosconet.aust.com . Just
look either under 'what's new' or beneath the image of Don Bosco in the
centre.
Lexisdb is partly what it
suggests it might be - a lexicon. It is the first step in a much larger
project, however, to draw up a termbase of Salesian discourse. It is
far more than a dictionary. To begin with, most of the words or phrases
(they are called 'lexemes' to cover items that are neither words nor phrases!)
first appear in Italian. This is because they have their origin in
Salesian discourse in Italian. But not always so. 'Don Bosco
Network' (did you know that such an official term exists?) is by agreement to be
left in English. Its definition is best given first in English then
ultimately translated into another language. Definitions tend to be from
an authoritative Salesian source in the original language - Italian for the most
part. In addition to definitions and translation into English of terms
that appear, a range of other comments are on offer, which is where Lexisdb departs from being a simple lexicon or
dictionary.
The work is very much in progress. There are
very many gaps. Do not be disappointed by these. See them as a
challenge that you, the reader, might be able to help with - and do help by all
means. You do not have to be a linguist or specialist of any kind.
You just have to have noted clearly enough that a word not in Lexisdb at this stage is in regular use in Salesian
discourse. If you also know how it has been defined authoritatively, then
all the better.
Formators or Salesians in formation may find this tool
helpful - and increasingly so as it is being added to. It will be added
to, almost daily, so continue to consult it. Translators will find it
useful to debate over, but also to use. Translators have their own
particular contribution to make.
I hope this is a small Easter gift that may interest
many, excite some, and be one way of drawing us closer together in our common
mission.
Julian Fox sdb
