The Making of DanSKiB

ved Lauren Sadow

I will present the process of making a “cultural dictionary” of Danish for adult migrant learners. Danskib is a freely available online learning resource for Danish as a second language which combines lexicographical features with learning activities, using an underlying minimal defining vocabulary. We call the dictionary aspect a “cultural dictionary” as it contains entries for both communicative norms and culturally-significant lexical items, and does not cover the entirety of the Danish language. Instead, the entries target important aspects of Danish communicative culture (such as communicative routines, values and words) that newcomers to Denmark need to know in order to navigate their new lives in Danish society and that promote intercultural communicative competence. I will discuss the underlying database and digital aspects of the dictionary and overall resource as well as the research foundations of the entries.