From Sociolinguistic Database to Classroom Tool: Documenting and Teaching Pluricentric Hungarian through the Termini Online Hungarian Dictionary

The Termini Online Hungarian Dictionary describes the lexicon of the Hungarian language as spoken in the countries neighboring Hungary. It is considered a general dictionary of present-day Hungarian. Each entry contains authentic example sentences to illustrate the use of the headword, allowing for the examination of a word or construction’s special use in a grammatical and pragmatic context. The dictionary placed in a lexicographical database is edited online in eight countries. Online editing makes it possible for the dictionary to expand – even simultaneously – as a result of activity in eight countries. In the present study, the authors review the novelties and peculiarities of the dictionary in some detail, touching on the following topics: dictionary structure, IT support, database character, multimedia elements, and labelling system and provide some tips for practicing dictionary use or skills. Since dictionary use forms part of the Hungarian National Curriculum, this paper focuses not only on dictionary skills but also on pedagogical strategies that familiarise students with the Termini Online Hungarian Dictionary as a resource. Learning about the existence and function of this dictionary helps students recognise the pluricentric nature of Hungarian, become aware of its regional varieties, and develop a broader, more inclusive perspective on language use and language identity in the digital age.