Preface

The aim of all considerations with respect to the compilation of the LEXICON SILVESTRE has been to contribute to the understanding among experts in the field of forestry from different countries and languages by providing abundant information in an easily accessible way.

The idea of elaborating the LEXICON SILVESTRE was born when in the seventies foresters of different tongues felt the need for a dictionary of forestry in Esperanto. In addition, users of dictionaries are often frustrated by the translated technical terms as many of these terms are ambiguous and most of the dictionaries do not provide explanations for the terms translated.

In 1981 an international group of foresters started to compile a multilingual dictionary of forestry on the basis of defined notions. At the beginning the only working language was the planned language Esperanto. Meanwhile the notions for „Prima pars“, „Secunda pars“, „Tertia pars“, „Quarta pars“ and “Quinta pars” have been defined for different languages. The equivalent terms have been compiled in a data bank for more than 20 languages. For giving the user an information about all terms being used in the literature are also given terms being used in a broader or narrower sense or which should be avoided.
The compilers made an effort to use those terms in the definitions which are recommended in the notions as the first. So that the user shall have a good understanding by using the most homogenous technical language.
As for missing terms and definitions in one or other language the compilers hope for the future cooperation of more experts. Tips for mistakes are welcome. There are continuously new findings which are taken into the data bank and considered in a new edition.
There are further parts of the „LEXICON SILVESTRE“ in preparation with about one thousend notions. According to the estimated number of forestry-related notions there will be more than six parts being initially planned.

The compilers thank particularly the many collaborators who in most cases supported the work gratuitously. Thanks for above-mentioned experts but also for not mentioned experts and foresters being partially unknown to the compilers.

From 1991 till 1994 the work was financially subsidised by the Eberswalde Labour Exchange.

The compilers ask to send critical remarks and proposals for the further promotion of the work to the following address:

Förderverein „Lexicon silvestre“ e.V.

Dr. Karl-Hermann Simon
c/o Fachhochschule Eberswalde
   Bibliothek
   Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 28
   D-16225 Eberswalde

Tel.:   +49 3334 657 331
FAX:  +49 3334 657 142
E-Mail: khsimon@fh-eberswalde.de