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 Lexisdbdeparts 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
