Abstract

DU PLESSIS, André; LOUW, Phillip  and  ODENDAAL, Gerda. The first century of the WAT. Tydskr. geesteswet. [online]. 2025, vol.65, n.1, pp.41-60. ISSN 2224-7912.  https://doi.org/10.17159/2224-7912/2025/v65n1a3.

The first century of the WAT reflects, in many ways, the same challenges and highlights that characterise most global projects that aim to produce comprehensive dictionaries. The initial fervour was tempered by the challenges of finding a sustainable model for data collection and, at the same time, establishing a macro- and microstructural identity for the dictionary. After these initial struggles the WAT did enter a time of heightened productivity and good alphabetical progress - four volumes, covering the letters A-I, were published between 1950 and 1961. However, another troublesome period followed when the Bureau's editorial team became bogged down by the requirement to be more encyclopaedic in the microstructural treatment of entries. This particularly affected the work on the letters J-K, which comprised four volumes, with the last volume of K only published in 1991, thirty years after volume IV (covering H-I). When the unsustainability of this way of working became apparent, insights from the latest metalexicographical research were implemented to produce an updated editorial manual. This led to a significant uptick in the speed of production with the subsequent three volumes (covering L-O) requiring, on average, three years each for completion. In a further major revision of the WAT team's editorial processes, input was garnered from a wide range of academics and role-players within the broader Afrikaans community in order to produce a more scientific and sensitive inclusion and treatment policy for lexical items that could cause offence. During that same time period, the WAT also had to determine its position with respect to a new political dispensation as one of the National Lexicography Units within PanSALB's structures. In that regard, the Bureau played an important part in the structural conceptualisation of the newly established National Lexicography Units and the provision of training in planning, management, editorial processes, and computerisation for their staff members. The 21^st century started on a challenging note, with the Bureau's state subsidy being reduced drastically. Initially, this had a damaging impact on production, and it forced the Bureau to start a countrywide fundraising campaign with the WAT Trust as its vehicle, in order to return to staffing levels that could support the required production rates. At the same time, a comprehensive marketing campaign was launched to draw the attention of the broader Afrikaans speech community to the WAT's role and value. The WAT simultaneously had to adapt quickly to a burgeoning electronic era, firstly by producing the Elektroniese WAT as CD-ROM product and later evolving it into the Aanlyn WAT. The necessity to further speed up production and publish the remaining letters as quickly as possible also became apparent. Consequently, funds were raised for additional editorial appointments, and in 2018 the Bureau embarked on an ambitious plan to complete the remaining 8 letters (from the last volume of S) and reach Z by 2028. Currently, this ten-year plan is well on track. The Bureau is aware of its wider mandate, and concurrently to its alphabetical progress, is also devoting time and attention to initiatives promoting greater inclusivity and diversity. These include the expansion of coverage of previously marginalised varieties of Afrikaans, an internship programme that specifically focuses on training potential lexicographers from those previously marginalised communities, and continuous engagement through PanSALB initiatives to help train and support the other National Lexicography Units that play such a crucial role in the development of South Africa's official languages. Lastly, the WAT is continuously striving to improve its electronic offering. Exciting initiatives such as an updated and modernised Aanlyn WAT, fully digitalised library and material collections, and a research portal offering access to their products and data are therefore in various stages of development. With ongoing state support and extraordinary financial contributions by the public and donors through the WAT Trust, the WAT is in rude health and is looking forward to a bright future, well beyond Z.

Keywords : Afrikaans; Afrikaans dictionary; comprehensive dictionary; Dictionary of the Afrikaans Language; inclusivity; language varieties; lexicography; lexicographic practice; lexicography unit; Lexikos.

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