[Lexicog] Spelling variants vs. synonyms

[Andrew Dunbar]

Most dictionaries treat spelling variants differently to synonyms.
Spelling variants
are often included in the headword, the OED has a special Spellings section.
Synonyms may have a cross-reference to a more common word rather than a full
definition.

Sometimes it turns out to be difficult to know where to draw the line. I am a
contributor to the English Wiktionary and I'm currently travelling through
Central America, collecting unusual Spanish words as I go. I'm particularly
interested in foods and regionalisms.

One word I've come across is a fruit called "pejibaye" which I saw in Costa
Rica. I also saw it often in Panama but without a sign. When I bought a
dictionary of Panamanianisms I found not this word but another entry, "pifa",
says it is also known as "pisbao", "pixbae", "pejibayo", and "corolo". The RAE
contains only "pejibaye" and "pijibay".
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/pejibaye.html lists a lot more.

It seems clear that these should be considered spelling variants:
pejibaye, pijibay, pejibayo

And equally clear that these should be considered synonyms:
pifa, corolo

But these could go either way:
pisbao, pixbae

My question is this: what do you guys, the real lexicographers, do when you
come across a situation like this?

Andrew Dunbar (hippietrail)


-- 
http://linguaphile.sf.net


------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
Something is new at Yahoo! Groups.  Check out the enhanced email design.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/qTZcGA/gOaOAA/79vVAA/HKE4lB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lexicographylist/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    lexicographylist-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/