Instructions/Manuals/Guides
- TshwaneDJe Software and Consulting YouTube Channel
- TLex Suite User Guide
- TLex FAQ
- Support—TshwaneDJe Website
Reviews/Articles
- De Schryver (2011): Why Opting for a Dedicated, Professional, Off-the-shelf Dictionary Writing System Matters
- Bowern (2007): TshwaneLex Dictionary Compilation Software
- De Schryver and Joffe (2005): One Database, Many Dictionaries—Varying Co(n)text with the Dictionary Application TshwaneLex
Additional Information
- “TshwaneLex” UBC Wiki
Instructions/Manuals/Guides
Resource Type: Video
TshwaneDJe Software and Consulting. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/user/tshwanedje. Accessed February 23, 2022.
The TshwaneDJe Software and Consulting YouTube channel hosts video tutorials for the TLex software. The playlist New Users: Introduction to TLex, Getting Started covers the basics of TLex and offers an introduction to the necessary skills. The YouTube channel hosts occasional live streams from the developer showcasing real-time TLex programming. These live streams are also made available on the channel to watch afterward. The TLex website hosts an overview of the tutorials available on the YouTube channel with links to each of them on this page.
The TshwaneDJe YouTube Channel is a good place for new TLex users to start.
The TshwaneDJe YouTube Channel can be accessed here.
Resource Type: Downloadable Guide
Joffe, D. & de Schryver, G-M. TshwaneLex. 2004-2023. “TLex/tlTerm User Guide.” TshwaneDJe Human Language Technology. tshwanedje.com/docs/TLex Suite User Guide.pdf. Accessed February 23, 2022.
The TLex suite User Guide is a free, 100+ page PDF downloadable from the TLex website with written instructions on how to use TLex and the other application in the TLex Suite, tlTerm. The Guide covers each step of the dictionary process, such as creating a new dictionary, customizing the dictionary structure, file export options and instructions, and more.
This guide is a good resource for a more comprehensive understanding of the many features TLex offers and the experience needed to use the software prior to the purchase of a license.
Note: the link to the TLex suite User Guide is not always active. It can also be accessed from the Help menu within the TLex application in both the full or evaluation version.
Resource Type: FAQ Page
“TLex/tlTerm/tlDatabase Documentation.” TshwaneDJe Software and Consulting. https://tshwanedje.com/support/faq. Accessed January 22, 2022.
TLex recommends checking their extensive FAQ before contacting them with any queries. The FAQ covers in-application keyboard shortcuts, software compatibility information, font and layout troubleshooting, and much more.
Users with specific questions should check the FAQ page.
The FAQ can be found on the TshwaneDJe website, under the Support tab, or by clicking here.
Resource Type: Website
“Support.” TshwaneDJe Software and Consulting. https://tshwanedje.com/support. Accessed January 22, 2022.
Users can find links to various types of support under the support tab of the TLex website, including links to the YouTube Channel, the User Guide, and the FAQ page. Information on additional resources such as software license recovery, knowledge-base articles, research publications, the Software Changelog, and the Mailing List Archives can be found under the Support tab.
The support page offers support to users with specific issues.
The TshwaneDJe support page can be accessed here.
Reviews/Articles
Resource Type: Academic Article
De Schryver, G-M. 2011. “Why Opting for a Dedicated, Professional, Off-the-shelf Dictionary Writing System Matters.” Seventh ASIALEX Biennial International Conference, 647-656. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261835520_Why_Opting_for_a_Dedicated_Professional_Off-the-shelf_Dictionary_Writing_System_Matters.
Why Opting for a Dedicated, Professional, Off-the-shelf Dictionary Writing System Matters
Abstract:
“In this workshop TLex (aka TshwaneLex) is analysed. TLex is a professional, feature-rich, fully internationalised, off-the-shelf software application suite for compiling dictionaries or terminology lists. It has been adopted by many major publishers, government organisations and individuals worldwide. TLex contains numerous specialized features that allow one to dramatically reduce dictionary production time and costs, and to increase the quality and consistency of one’s dictionaries (from single-user projects to large teams). These features include an integrated corpus query system, real-time preview, full customisability, an advanced styles system, smart cross-references with tracking and auto-updating, automated lemma reversal, automated numbering and sorting, export to MS Word and typesetting systems (such as InDesign, Quark and XPP), multi-user support for managing teams, etc. The data can be published to hardcopy, the Web, or CD-ROM / DVD / software. TLex can be used for all languages, for all types of dictionaries, and supports industry standards such as XML and Unicode.”
This article can be found here.
Resource Type: Academic Article
Bowern, C. 2007. “TshwaneLex Dictionary Compilation Software.” Language Documentation & Conservation, 1(1): 94-99. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/items/254e2ba0-e74a-42d6-9ca3-bad96614fd56.
TshwaneLex Dictionary Compilation Software
In this review of TLex, Bowern poses three questions:
- How easy would it be to start a dictionary project from scratch in this software, to maintain it, and to publish it? Would the software allow me to do everything I would want to do?
- How easy would it be to convert an existing dictionary to this format, and what would be the advantage(s) of doing so? That is, why would one change from one’s existing software to TshwaneLex?
- How easy is it to exchange data between this program and other software that might be used in language documentation, such as transcription or interlinearization programs?
This article can be found here.
Note: This article relates to an evaluation version of TLex 2.0. Some of the descriptions of the tool may be outdated, or issues that were outlined in this paper may have been resolved.
Resource Type: Academic Article
De Schryver, G-M. and Joffe, D. 2005. “One Database, Many Dictionaries—Varying Co(n)text with the Dictionary Application TshwaneLex.” 4th Asialex Conference, 54-59. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237331122_One_database_many_dictionaries_-_varying_context_with_the_dictionary_application_TshwaneLex.
One Database, Many Dictionaries—Varying Co(n)text with the Dictionary Application TshwaneLex
Abstract:
“This paper provides background information for a software demonstration of
TshwaneLex, during which the actual use of the application is illustrated in real time.The focus of the demonstration is on two main aspects, together with a related aspect in each case, of particular interest to the ASIALEX 2005 conference. These are full Unicode support and customisable sorting on the one hand, and advanced DTD (Document Type Definition) aspects and Linked View mode on the other. Together, they provide the backbone for the claim that a single TshwaneLex database successfully provides for multiple dictionaries.”
This article can be found here.
Additional Information
Resource Type: Wiki
“Course: FNEL 382/TshwaneLex.” UBC Wiki. https://wiki.ubc.ca/Course:FNEL_382/TshwaneLex. Accessed January 23, 2022.
This resource was created in the context of FNEL 382: Lexicography for Endangered Languages, a course at the University of British Columbia, and is housed on the UBC Wiki. This resource provides a little information about what TLex is, its development, pricing, functionality, the types of users this software is intended for, and skills required for use. Overall, this resource provides a very brief and basic overview of TLex and is not updated.
This resource can be found here.