Dizionari elettronici e apprendimento delle espressioni idiomatiche: monitoraggio dei bisogni e prospettive future

This study investigates the lexicographical needs of a group of L2 Italian learners performing a production task using idioms. In order to achieve this aim, the efficacy of an electronic monolingual dictionary frequently used by foreign students was put to the test. Results show that, on the whole, the given dictionary provides inadequate support; however some of its features offer important cues to the target users. These include the clear statement of topics and comments in the idiom definition, and the etymological explanation of how literal meanings evolved into figurative ones. The results of this study will be used for planning an electronic pedagogical dictionary that meets the requirements demanded by lexicographical function theory.