Multi-dialectal lexicon building: lessons learned

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the lessons learned through the lifecycle of a dialectal electronic lexicon. Our approach is innovative because our lexicon is designed and built as a multi-dialectal (trilingual) dictionary (three dialects vs. one target language) instead of three monolingual dialectal dictionaries. Our system offers features that could not be possible with three monolingual dialectal dictionaries. Moreover, during the system’s lifecycle we have got very specific demands for improvements (new requirements) that users were not able to express during the analysis phase. The lessons learned and the solutions invented for the system’s ultimation (to respect the new requirements) can be helpful for other research or project with similar purposes.