Reflections on the role and design of online dictionaries for specialised translation

Abstract

This article deals with specialised translation dictionaries. Based on the principles of the function theory, it analyses the different phases and sub-phases of the translation process from a lexicographical perspective and shows that a translation dictionary should be much more than a mere bilingual dictionary if it really aims to meet its users’ complex needs. Thereafter, it presents a global concept of a translation dictionary which includes various mono- and bilingual components in both language directions. Finally, the article discusses how this concept can be applied on the Internet in order to develop high-quality translation dictionaries with quick access to data that are still more adapted to the needs of each translator.