ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a critical discussion of the very concept of a dictionary for translation (DfT), as well as of the specific needs of translators as an unexpectedly heterogeneous user group. It considers DfTs as bilingual dictionaries that particularly address a restricted subset of users, namely students and professionals in the field of translation. A DfT can be either a general dictionary or a special dictionary dealing with a specialised field. Accordingly it will be used to support translation of text or parts of texts containing language for general purpose (LGP) or language for specific purpose (LSP) lexical items. A DfT can be either a print or an e-dictionary. Printed dictionaries are still largely used both in the professional and educational/academic environment. However, the advantages of electronic DfTs, first of all time-saving access to information and manageability, are becoming more and more popular among translators.
