In previous studies on learner lexicography, design features of both the content and presentation of learner's dictionaries are the two major research concerns. The quality assessment of learner's dictionaries also covers the two dimensions. Terms used for evaluating them are respectively "usability" or "availability" for the former and "findability" or "accessibility" for the latter. However, the lexicographical construction of "learnability", which takes into account the users' reference and learning needs, remains virtually unexplored either theoretically or practically. Compared to the features of dictionary design mentioned above, "learnability" as the design philosophy of learner lexicography is worth more serious consideration. The present paper aims at exploring the lexicographical notion of "learnability" by way of introducing the neglected legacy of Robert Morrison in his compilation of Wuche Yunfu (1819)1, which is characterized by a high degree of learnability illustrated in the dictionary entries. Morrison's pioneering efforts may help with the conceptual clarification of "learnability" in compiling learner's dictionaries, bilingual ones in particular. Moreover, it is hoped that the recognition of Morrison's lexicographical practice will be beneficial to the future production of better Chinese-English dictionaries for non-native Chinese learners.

In vorige studies van aanleerderleksikografie is ontwerpkenmerke van beide die inhoud en aanbieding van aanleerderswoordeboeke die twee belangrikste navorsingsaspekte. Die kwaliteitsbepaling van aan-leerderswoordeboeke dek ook hierdie twee dimensies. Terme wat gebruik word vir hul evaluering is onderskeidelik "bruikbaarheid" of "beskikbaarheid" vir eersgenoemde en "vindbaarheid" of "toe-ganklikheid" vir laasgenoemde. Die leksikografiese begrip "leerbeerheid", wat die gebruikers se verwysings- en aanleerdersbehoeftes in ag neem, bly egter eintlik teoreties en prakties onontgin. Vergeleke met die kenmerke van woordeboekontwerp waarna hierbo verwys is, behoort "leerbaar-heid" as die ontwerpfilosofie van aanleerdersleksikografie ernstiger oorweeg te word. In hierdie artikel word gepoog om die leksikografiese konsep van "leerbaarheid" te ondersoek met behulp van die vergete nalatenskap van Robert Morrison in sy samestelling van Wuche Yunfu (1819)¹, wat gekenmerk word deur 'n hoë mate van leerbaarheid soos geïllustreer in die woorde-boekinskrywings. Morrison se baanbrekerswerk kan van hulp wees met die konseptuele verheldering van "leerbaarheid" in die samestelling van aanleerderswoordeboeke, veral tweetalige aanleer-derswoordeboeke. Bowenal word daar gehoop dat die erkenning van Morrison se leksikografiese praktyk tot voordeel van die toekomstige produksie van beter Chinees-Engelse woordeboeke vir nie-moedertaal Chinese aanleerders sal wees.