--- Gerard Meijssen gerardm@myrealbox.com wrote:
There is a need for using XML with wiktionary.
I agree.
The definitions of a word in wiktionary, can be structured in a fixed way.
I disagree. But it depends on *how much* structure you want.
For each word/phrase you have a: *Indication what language it is in *Name of the word/phrase *Definition of the word/phrase *Translations *Pronounciation *Synonyms *Antonyms etc
Actually If we only wanted to structure these parts it would work ok. Many other properties of words and phrases are a lot more difficult, such as part-of-speech.
I do not try to be complete here, but my point is, the data is structured. Other organisations that work with words already structure their data using XML for instance GEMET. When Wiktionary is structured exlicitly, the result will be that the import and export from Wiktionary becomes possible and it will become possible for other dictionary/ glossary project to get a changed content in XML format that is specific for working with words. This will enhance the importance of wiktionary and it will help achieve out aim which is open accessible dictionary content.
The flip side of the coin is that we can get {changed) content from other dictionary/ glossary projects for inclusion in wiktionary.
The GEMET data is available as XML data and, it would be great to import it straight in from XML.
*Issues: #Using XML standards for dictionary content. #Importing data / Exporting data using the current wiktionary content. #Structuring wiktionary using MySQL tables. #Importing data / Exporting data using the future wiktionary structure.
NB I have posted this on META as well
I do think a dictionary requires structure which an encyclopedia does not. A very loose structure like you have described would be a benefit for Wiktionary. The problems I see are these: 1. Once we have some structure people will push for more structure such as part-of-speech, not realizing how difficult that is to get right in a multilingual dictionary. 2. To work with the wiki software we can have a tool/ script/routine which maps from internal XML into wiki/HTML so it can be displayed. 3. People will have to input XML, or we need a friendly interface which can take input from non-expert users and turn it into correct XML.
Number 3 would mean a *lot* of work for developers.
Andrew (hippietrail).
Thanks, GerardM
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