How can dictionaries best present legal equivalents if there are more than one option

What is it about?

This paper discusses some fundamental issues in lexicography and legal translation. Instead of listing several possible translation equivalents in one language of a legal term in another language, dictionaries should try to provide explicit guidance. This means that users will not have to choose between several options but that the dictuonary recommends one of the possible translations, but at the same time informs users of the options. The way in which this can be done depends, e.g. on whether the dictionary is general-purpose one or an in-house or translation provider-specific one.

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Why is it important?

The paper suggests a way of treating multiple equivalents that differs from the traditional one. It is based on findings and apporaches suggested by general-language lexicography and shows how these can be used in specialised dictionaries designed for the translation of legal texts.