Definition: Lexicography is the practice of compiling dictionaries.
Role of a Lexicographer: Not to decide which words are "good" or "bad", but rather to document and study them.
Misconceptions: Lexicographers are often perceived as gatekeepers of language, which the speaker disagrees with.
Lexicographical Fun and Challenges
Fun Words: Words like "lexicographical" are enjoyable to use (e.g., it follows a pattern known as a double dactyl).
Unfamiliar Words and Whistles: No such thing as a "lexicographical whistle" or a role to filter words.
Historical Context and Modern Challenges
Queen Victoria's Influence: The perception that dictionaries haven't changed since the Victorian era.
James Murray: The first editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) whose methods are still relevant today.
Digital Dictionaries
Role of Computers: Speed up dictionary compilation; however, they do not change the dictionary content.
Online Dictionaries: Often mere digital replicas of print versions, lacking functionality beyond searchability.
The Ham Butt Problem
Analogy: Like cutting off the butt of a ham, dictionaries have limited capacity for words, leading to exclusions.
Implication: The artificial constraint of print dictionaries limits the representation of language.
The Need for Change
Paper vs. Digital: Paper dictionaries are becoming outdated and inadequate to capture the full breadth of language.
Artificial Constraints: Lead to arbitrary distinctions and a limited understanding of the language.
Lexicography as Science
Material Science Analogy: Lexicography is more about studying the materials (words) for building communication.
Definition and Value of Words: Words are real when used and loved, not just when included in a dictionary.
Expanding the Dictionary
Increasing Participation: Encouraging amateurs to contribute to lexicography, similar to citizen science projects like eBird.
The Role of the Internet: A vast resource for collecting and analyzing new words using collective enthusiasm.
Problems with Current Word Collection
Lack of Context: Many word collections lack proper context, making them scientifically inadequate.
Synecdoche in Language: Dictionaries are often used to represent the entire language synecdochically.
Vision for the Future
Bigger Pan: The aim is to include all words and meanings in dictionaries, making them comprehensive.
New Formats: Future dictionaries should be more like digital platforms, not limited by physical constraints.
Conclusion
Role Shift: From a "traffic cop" to a "fisherman", allowing more free exploration of language.
Hope for the Next Generation: The speaker hopes future generations will see traditional dictionaries as obsolete, akin to outdated technologies like 8-track tapes.