Abstract

Abstract: This article presents an excerpt from a theory of lexicographic texts which deals par-ticularly with dictionary articles. Almost all characteristics of dictionary articles considered as typi-cally lexicographic may be regarded as results of textual condensation processes. A theory of tex-tual condensation in lexicography thus makes it possible to analyse the lexicographic textual con-densation from a uniform perspective; it allows us to calculate exactly the degree of textual con-densation, it contributes to the construction of a scientific predicate user-friendlier as, and gives us insights which will make the formulation of dictionary articles more teachable. The theory consists of two parts: a partial theory of inner and a partial theory of outer textual condensation. The first part explains in which way textual condensation may be understood as a process leading from a full text (a text shOwing complete cohesion and explicit syntax) to a con-densed article text (with addressing as syntax substitute and dependence on a inetatext). With respect to a monosemous lemma sign, the textual condensation process goes through only one stage, to be exemplified here. With respect to a polysemous lemma Sign, there is a second stage, including shifts to the left. Certain article types with certain microstructures such as the annexed microstructures may go through a third stage of textual condensation, accompanied by shifts to the right. The second part of the theory deals with the condensation processes which regard the car-riers of the guiding element and which, inter alia, lead to reference articles and lemma clusters. Finally, attention is drawn to a different form of textual condensation regarding the propor-tion of printed characters in relation to the total printed matter.