On 9/22/05, Jim Breen <Jim.Breen(a)infotech.monash.edu.au> wrote:
As a lexicographer I am always interested in etymology. I am a bit
mystified by the view that it is somehow coupled to spelling. In the
languages I know, spelling used to be highly fluid and individualistic,
and
has only recently been pinned down into recognized norms. In the case of
English, the fact that there are two "schools" of spelling (which only
affect a minority of words) is largely the result of the simplifications
made and promulgated by one man: Noah Webster. Interesting indeed, but
nothing to do with etymology.
In the UW, an etymology is not related directly to a spelling. Typically an
etymology is linked to a "lemma". Lemmas are typically considered the
combination of a meaning and a word. In the UW a Lemma can be considered a
specific occurrence in the table SynTrans. This way you have the combination
of a Word and a Meaning.
You wrote that you are interested in UW because of a multi language database
that you have particularly for/with Japanese. I do not what you want to
achieve, but if your interest is in an analysis of the possibility to import
your data in UW, then I would love to have a look at your data design. If
you consider importing the content under the GFDL, I would be even more
happy.
One lesson that I will learn, is if I have all the features to include a
Japanese dictionary.
Thanks,
GerardM