Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... Words of the World: A Global History of the Oxford English Dictionary (edition 2012)by Sarah Ogilvie
Work InformationWords of the World: A Global History of the Oxford English Dictionary by Sarah Ogilvie
None Loading...
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. One of the best books on the fascinating world of lexicology and lexicographic work. I especially like the first chapter where the author talks about her life working on the dictionary in Oxford. This perfect book for a word nerd. ( ) I loved this book and learnt a great deal about the history of the English language and the making of dictionaries. The first section traces the author's experience of working as an editor on the Oxford English Dictionary - very funny stories about the quirky work setting and unusual colleagues. The author clearly loves her job as a lexicographer and paints a tender and kind picture of the founders of the OED and the early editors whom she shows were radical for their day in how they viewed English as a global language. I especially liked the chapter on James A H Murray and had no idea until reading this book that he was considered an outsider within the Oxford scholarly scene. I heartily recommend this book. no reviews | add a review
Most people think of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) as a distinctly British product. Begun in England 150 years ago, it took more than 60 years to complete and, when it was finally finished in 1928, the British prime minister heralded it as a 'national treasure'. It maintained this image throughout the twentieth century, and in 2006 the English public voted it an 'Icon of England', alongside Marmite, Buckingham Palace and the bowler hat. However, this book shows that the dictionary is not as 'British' as we all thought. The linguist and lexicographer, Sarah Ogilvie, combines her insider knowledge and experience with impeccable research to show that the OED is in fact an international product in both its content and its making. She examines the policies and practices of the various editors, applies qualitative and quantitative analysis, and finds new OED archival materials in the form of letters, reports and proofs. She demonstrates that the OED, in its use of readers from all over the world and its coverage of World English, is in fact a global text. No library descriptions found. |
Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)423.09Language English Dictionaries of standard EnglishLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |