Speakers
Description
This paper examines the challenges of representing linguistic variation in Frisian lexicography, focusing on the Dutch-Frisian online dictionary. While existing lexicographic resources already accommodate variation to some extent, discrepancies remain between dictionary representation and actual language use. Survey data and usage examples reveal complex patterns in which standard forms coexist with contact-induced variants, and in some cases no fully equivalent Frisian alternatives exist, leading speakers to adopt Dutch forms in Frisian discourse. These findings highlight a tension between normative guidance and descriptive adequacy, particularly in contexts where speakers vary in competence and where written Frisian differs from spoken usage. The current label system, although informative, does not always provide sufficiently systematic or user-oriented support. Building on insights from user-oriented lexicographic theory, this paper proposes a more flexible model in which dictionary information is accessed through multiple modes. These include a normative mode offering clear guidance, a comparative mode making variation explicit, and a learning mode tailored to users with less experience. By structuring variation in a transparent and user-sensitive way, the proposed approach aims to align lexicographic practice more closely with actual language use while supporting both standardization and linguistic diversity.