Expanding the data distribution structure

Abstract The transition from printed to online dictionaries demands a re-assessment of and adaptations to dictionary structures. This paper focuses on some aspects of the data distribution structure and the different search positions in dictionaries that can accommodate lexicographic data. It is shown that the traditional search positions should be increased. A dictionary as a whole can be regarded as a search region and a dictionary portal as a search domain. The emergence of dictionary portals compels lexicographers to expand the data distribution structure. The occurrence of dictionaries within a dictionary portal that contains different search regions necessitates the notion of a comprehensive data distribution structure. Further research is needed to investigate the interactive relation between a comprehensive data distribution structure and the access and mediostructure of a dictionary.