Word lookup on the basis of associations

Abstract

Word access is an obligatory step in language production. In order to achieve his communicative goal, a speaker/writer needs not only to have something to say, he must also find the corresponding word(s). Yet, knowing a word, i.e. having it stored in a data-base or memory (human mind or electronic device) does not imply that one is able to access it in time. This is a clearly a case where computers (electronic dictionaries) can be of great help.