Focal (lexicographical website)
| Web address | http://www.focal.ie |
|---|---|
| Commercial? | No |
| Type of site | Database, Education, Language |
| Registration | None |
| Available language(s) | Irish and English |
| Owner |
• Foras na Gaeilge • Fiontar |
| Created by |
• Fiontar • Foras na Gaeilge |
| Launched | March 2006 |
| Current status | Active |
Focal.ie
The National Database of Irish-language Terminology
www.focal.ie is the national database of Irish-language terminology which FIONTAR, Dublin City University (DCU) developed in collaboration with the Terminology Committee, Foras na Gaeilge. Phase I of the work consisted of digitising and integrating existing paper and electronic lists and was completed with funding from INTERREG III A (2004–7). FIONTAR continues to manage and develop this resource with funding from Foras na Gaeilge.
The database contains over 325,000 terms, searchable under both Irish and English versions. More than 880,000 unique visitors have used the website between 2006 and 2011. They have made 3.9 million visits and 25 million searches in that time. According to a 2010 user survey carried out by FIONTAR, the site is primarily used by translators and interpreters and by university students.
Several resources have been added under subsequent phases. A dictionary of 10,000 sports terms has been developed and added to focal.ie as well as tools for translation memories and other resources for translators including a link facility to The New Corpus for Ireland.
Phase IV (2011–2014) of the project began on 1 April 2011 with the following objectives:
- To implement a new domain hierarchy, based on DANTERM;
- To create definitions for some terms;
- To compile a new dictionary of arts terms see...;
- To complete the new dictionary of sports terms see...;
- Publication of a CD-ROM version of the database;
- To develop a version of site for mobile devices.
Awards
www.focal.ie won the award for ‘Best Irish-language Site’ at the Irish Web Awards 2008; and the European Language Label in 2007.
External links
- An Bunachar Náisiúinta Téarmaíochta don Ghaeilge, The National Terminology Database for Irish home page