Dictionary Analysis: Features and Lemmatisation

Language documentation in the Philippines includes comprehensive vocabulary compilations, where dictionaries evolved, leading to modernisation and standardisation. Selected based on institutional authority, lexicographical relevance, and educational significance, this study compares “UP Diksiyonaryong Filipino” (UPDF) and “KWF Diksiyonaryo ng Wikang Filipino” (KWF-DWF), in terms of features, lemmatisation approach, and modern relevance, through a qualitative descriptive content analysis anchored on CULU (coverage, user interface, lemmatisation, and usability) framework, without the utilisation of any external corpora and/or computational lemmatisers. The findings reveal that the UPDF offers descriptive research-based approach and emphasises linguistic diversity, historical depth, and cultural inclusivity with respect to variety whereas the KWF-DWF emphasises standardisation and accessibility, and closely aligns with language policy and educational needs. The UPDF provides thorough entries, including etymology, regional variants, and usage examples while the KWF-DWF has a practical function in education and governance, supporting linguistic consistency and further enabling formalised language education. Both dictionaries struggle to reconcile the traditional lexicographical practice with contemporary computation. Adopting digital innovations, allow dictionaries to both extend their relevance and expand their availability in contemporary lexicographical milieu. It is imperative in these collaborative efforts between linguists, educators, and technologists that both traditional and computational needs are met without sacrificing cultural and linguistic sustainability.