Logical, but ever so practical? A dictionary is per se
about
differences between two different languages (OK, except for
describing unilingual dictionaries, but we're talking about
translation dictionaries now, aren't we?). An encyclopedia is not. A
Wikitionary consulter usually looks for a translation, and in
Wiktionary several languages are merged already. Wikipedia always
keeps one language.
The difference between two languages is only a secondary purpose for
each Wiktionary. The Wiktionary for a particular language primarily
describes the different ways in which the word in question is used
within the language. You may very well usually look to Wiktionary
for translations, but others can look for different things.
Ec
OK, that's it... But wasn't the idea of a Mega-Wiktionary born from
its usage as a translation dictionary? In a recent private talk,
Gerard defended this idea with a similar argument, if I understood him
correctly.