D9. More Configuration Basics

This lesson provides advanced dictionary configuration techniques in FLEx, focusing on writing systems, numbering, punctuation, and formatting. Here’s a summary:

Objective:

• Configure sense and homograph numbers.

• Reorder fields by writing system.

• Add writing system abbreviations.

• Apply punctuation and formatting for dictionary publication.

1. Review of Configure Dictionary Tool

• Builds on Basics of Configuration (covered earlier).

• Uses the Root-based view (complex forms as subentries).

• Settings apply to all entries, not just the one in focus.

2. Additional Controls Space

• Displays configuration options based on the selected field.

• Options include:

  • Writing system control (Vernacular vs. Analysis WS).

  • Paragraph control (display options for entries).

  • Sense number configuration (adjusting numbering styles).

  • Headword numbering (homograph handling).

3. Writing System Controls

• Vernacular Writing Systems:

  • Displays only vernacular options (e.g., Headword).

  • Default WS set in Writing Systems settings.

• Analysis Writing Systems:

  • Used for definitions, glosses, and example translations.

• All Writing Systems:

  • Appears for fields supporting multiple WS.

  • Controls the order and display of languages.

Activity:

• Remove French (Audio) from Headword for print publication.

• Reorder English/Spanish glosses using arrow buttons.

4. Writing System Abbreviations

• Helps distinguish multiple languages in dictionary entries.

• Option to display abbreviations before content.

Activity:

• Enable writing system abbreviations for glosses.

5. Paragraph Control

• Allows examples, senses, and subentries to appear as separate paragraphs.

Activity:

• Set example sentences to display in independent paragraphs.

6. Sense Controls

• Manage numbering style, punctuation, and grammatical category placement.

Activity:

• Choose between parentheses, periods, or spaces for sense numbering.

• Configure grammatical categories to display once per entry or for each sense.

7. Homograph Numbering

• Controls how homographs (words with the same spelling but different meanings) are numbered.

• Subscripted numbers appear by default (e.g., chat₁, chat₂).

Activity:

• Suppress homograph numbers for chaud₁.

• Restore numbers by selecting "After Headword".

8. Formatting Controls

• Context Control (Before, Between, After):

  • Adds spaces, punctuation, or labels to field data.

  • Example: Semantic Domains formatted as (sem. domains: __, __, __).

Activity:

• Format Semantic Domains to include prefix text, commas, and parentheses.

• Add square brackets to bound morpheme citation forms.

9. Format Toolbar

• Embed writing systems and character styles in text.

• Example: Format French words in English sentences in red.

Activity:

• Change French words in an English note to French WS.

• Format days of the week in a custom table (French in bold).

Completion:

• Hands-on exercises for advanced configuration settings.

• Quiz (80% passing score) to reinforce learning.

• Backup project before making changes.

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com