African Association for Lexicography - Afrilex

We are excited to announce that we will be celebrating International Dictionary Day at the University Of Venda on 16 October 2025 in collaboration with the Tshivenda National Lexicography Unit (NLU), Office of the Premier: Limpopo Provincial Government, Vhembe District Municipality,
Phalaphala FM : Ri Na NWI Misi yothe, African Association for Lexicography - Afrilex and South African Centre for Digital Language Resources.

This special day aims to highlight and honour the invaluable contributions of the NLUs, which serve as advisory structures to the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB). These units are dedicated to the crucial task of compiling comprehensive dictionaries in all the official spoken languages.

As part of the celebration, we will engage in discussions and activities that emphasise the importance of lexicographers and the role they play in language preservation and development.

Quick question: Do you own a dictionary in any of the indigenous African languages?

The 30th International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography - Afrilex will take place on 1-3 July 2026 and will be hosted by the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, South Africa.
Thohoyandou Town Update
Thohoyandou
Thavhani Mall,thohoyandou,limpopo,

Dear Afrilex members

Please note that the deadline for the submission of abstracts for the 29th International Afrilex conference (1 - 5 July 2025 at University of the Western Cape) has been extended to 15 April 2025. The Call for Abstracts is attached for your convenience. For further information, please visit our website: https://www.afrilex.co.za/

Regards
Elsabé Taljard (obo Afrilex)

It's time for the 27th International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography - Afrilex.
University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 26-29 September 2023.

Dear Afrilex members and Friends
Please note that the deadline for early bird registration has been extended to 11 August. All presenters must please register by this date.
Prof Elsabé Taljard

Dear Afrilex members and friends

Please note that the deadline for the submission of abstracts for our conference in September has been extended to 17 July 2023. Please visit our website (https://www.afrilex.co.za/) for further details and to download the template for abstracts.

Hoping to see you in Bloemfontein!

Elsabé Taljard
Treasurer: Afrilex

Digital Dictionary Resources for N|uu
N|uu, Nama, Afrikaans, English
A dictionary available for free in three formats

A comprehensive dictionary was collated by African Tongue in collaboration with N|uu speakers as well as local and international linguists to produce:

1) a hardcopy

2) web-portal

3) mobile app - Saasi Epsi

The above resources are available for free thanks to funding by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), South Africa.

Instructional videos on how to use each version of the resource is provided below as presentation by Dr Kerry Jones and Prof Menno van Zaanen.

SADiLaR and African Tongue partnered on this project to develop and preserve N|uu and Nama (Khoekhoegowab) especially as these are both endangered languages. A unique variety of Afrikaans known as "Onse Afrikaans" was also formally documented for the first time. The variety of English used was South African English.

The Dictionary Society of North America (DSNA) Conference 2023 to be held in May/June 2023:
https://dictionarysociety.com/conference/dsna-24-in-boulder-colorado/.

DSNA 24 in Boulder, Colorado | DSNA 24 in Boulder, Colorado Call for Papers The 24th Biennial Dictionary Society of North America Conference will be held at the University of Colorado, Boulder, 31 May to 3 June, 2023. The conference will feature a workshop and plenary panel on lexicography of indigenous North American languag ...

The 26th International Conference of AFRILEX started yesterday with a bang in Stellenbosch.

Happy Birthday to AFRILEX.
26 years of existence and still going to strong!