Apart from creating a new lexicon, LEXUS also gives the option to import already existing lexica from two formats: Toolbox and XML. Importing from Toolbox requires that the lexical entries in the Toolbox database are consistent with the structure defined in the Toolbox *.typ file. Since Toolbox allows 'inconsistent' lexical entries, it is really important the lexicon is checked before importing. There is a separate manual on how to do this. Please check the LEXUS website (www.mpi.nl/lat/tools/lexus).
Assuming that the lexicon is consistent withe the *.typ file: choose and form the menu in the top frame. A window will pop up, in which you can first browse for the Type File and next for the Data File (Figure 3.1).
After that you have the option to make the structure compatible with the LMF format. For Toolbox lexica this is often particularly difficult as the Toolbox structure tends to mix the Form and Sense categories of lexical items and separating them into the default LMF structure is often not possible. In these cases, we therefore strongly advice to choose all the markers from your structure and link them directly under Lexical Entry. You can chose all the markers at once by clicking on the first one and then clicking on the last one in the list while pressing Shift. Then simply drag them and drop them on the (Figure 3.2).
Click . The import process can take from 2 minutes up to an hour, depending on the size of the lexicon. While the import process takes place, the lexicon will appear in the lexicon list in the . The number behind the lexicon name indicates the total number of lexical items already imported. Once all the data have been successfully imported, you can define the word list view and lexical entry view.
The structure of the imported lexicon is base on the structure defined in the Toolbox typ file. However, in the hierarchy, there is a number of elements that are on a par - they are sister nodes linked under one mother node. For LEXUS they are equal, therefore they are ordered randomly. The users can however define the layout of the structure in LEXUS: that is decide in what order the data categories and data components of the same level should appear. It is for instance quite natural that the users will want the ps group under lexeme and the ps group under subentry to look the same. In order to do that, in the select lexicon from the list and choose the from the main menu . The structure will be visible in the lef frame. Select the data component or data category you wish to move and use the buttons next to the structure to move the element. You may also delete elements from the structure: select the data category or component in the tree and click on the - buttom below the tree. These functions are shown in Figure 3.3.
