English-Language Paremiological Dictionaries in the Electronic and Digital Age: Problems and Prospects

Using paremiological dictionaries as an example, the article considers new approaches and trends emerging in modern English lexicography in connection with its digitalisation. From the initial scanned versions of authoritative paper dictionaries, e-lexicography is increasingly moving towards the development of pro ducts specifically designed for use on computers and mobile devices, a frequent first step in this process being the use of the resources of national linguistic corpora, followed by the creation of independent paremiological corpora. The creation of e-dictionaries is gradually becoming a separate lexicographic trend with its own subject and object of research. The present study has revealed a number of characteristics of English-language electronic paremiological dictionaries, such as: growing connection with language teaching; increasing unprofessionalism of compilers of Internet reference resources, leading to their unreliability; extending influence of the so-called “non-native speakers” of English; expanding range of non-verbal resources of elexicography, which are capable of performing some scientific tasks that are beyond the reach of traditional paper dictionaries (for example, dictionary fixation of the threefold structural-content-functional topological invariant of frequently reproduced memorable phrases). Professional lexicographers need to learn how to use the new possibilities of the modern electronic and digital era to the best advantage, combining the necessary linguistic, digital and design competences at a professional rather than amateur level.