Introduction to Lexical Tools: Understanding Dictionaries and Their Evolution - Prof. del , Apuntes de Idioma Inglés

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UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO LEXICAL TOOLS

Lexicology & Lexicography

Both derived from the Greek word lexiko ('speech', or

'way of speaking' or 'word') closely related BUT:

 Lexicology ► the science of the study of word ►

provides the theoretical basis for lexicography

 Lexicography ► the writing of the word in some

concrete form i.e. in the form of dictionary or other

lexicographic bases or tools (i.e. „applied lexicology‟)

WHAT IS A DICTIONARY?

Definition in Oxford English Dictionary :

“A book dealing with the individual words of a language

(or certain specified class of them) so as to set forth

their orthography , pronunciation , signification and

use , their synonyms , derivation and history , or at

least some of these facts, for convenience of reference

the words are arranged in some stated order, now in

most languages, alphabetical […]”

EARLY ‘DICTIONARIES’

 Glossaries ► lists of (difficult) words in

Latin manuscripts. Format: alphabetical lists in Latin + their English equivalents. Inserted at the end of texts but no order within sections.

 15th and 16th centuries ► alphabetical lists of words in

English and their Latin equivalent. Goal: enable learners to master Latin (language of learning)

Extensive + ‘random’ ► finding words was difficult

SAMUEL JOHNSON (OED)

 1747 ► The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language

 1755 ► Dictionary of the English Language ( vols) “a dictionary in which the words are deduced from their originals and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers.

EVOLUTION OF DICTIONARIES

 1755 ► Johnson‟s Dictionary of the English Language ► origins and history of words (quotations from Middle English to show changes in meaning) + prescriptive  1933 ► Oxford English Dictionary reissued (12 volumes) ► history + „correct‟ use  Noah Webster (1783, 1828) ► An American Dictionary of the English Language ► Merriam-Webster ► descriptive + synchronic ► descriptions based on usage examples Modern dictionaries: vocabulary records (linguistic description) + reference manuals + standard for language use