Some aspects of lexicography of an explanatory dictionary in Zulu

Abstract

Three major difficulties are encountered in Zulu lexicography. These are the identification of designata words, the precise definition of entries and the marking of tones. The entries in Isichazamazwi II are confined to ideophones, interjectives, and basic forms of nouns and verbs. Grammatical units, derivations, and various syntactic forms of words are discussed in the prefatory notes of the dictionary. Owing to limited Zulu terminology, the definitions of entries tend to be uniform and monotonous. Only the high, low, high-low and low-high tones are indicated. The Central Zululand dialect is as far as possible used as a basis for the marking of tones.