Frame Semantics, Metalexicography and the Microstructure of Persian Monolingual Dictionaries

Abstract

This paper is based on insights gained from “Frame Semantics Theory", and sets out to undertake a metalexicographical analysis of five current Persian monolingual dictionaries. It demonstrates that a frame semantic perspective can be applied in the microstructures of such dictionaries. This research is conducted by using a descriptive-analytic method. For this purpose, 100 entries have been selected from frames: COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION, EXAMINATION and REQUEST. Bearing in mind that these frames have been used in analysis of the “Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (7th ed.)", It is worthwhile to find out to what extent our proposed model compares with the past achievements. The results of data analysis reveal that none of dictionaries have been compiled on the basis of a linguistic theory. To redress the situation, the authors have come up with a pattern inspired by "Frame Semantics" and designed to compile and edit the entries of prospective Persian monolingual dictionaries.