Dictionaries: The Art and Craft of Lexicography

by Sidney I. Landau

This second edition of Sidney I. Landau's landmark work offers a comprehensive and completely up-to-date description of how dictionaries are researched and written, with particular attention to the ways in which computer technology has changed modern lexicography. Landau has an insider's practical knowledge of making dictionaries and every feature of the dictionary is examined and explained. Written in a readable style, free of jargon and unnecessary technical language, it will appeal to readers with no specialist knowledge of the field, as well as to professional lexicographers.

Genres: Linguistics, Language, Reference, History, Nonfiction

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Mark Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sidney Landau, lexicographer, naturally has a firm handle on one of my favorite near-inspired dictums, “Usage determines meaning.”

Landau devotes some space in his book Dictionaries to covering the history of English usage disputes. In the 18th century, grammar “errors” provoked moral outrage and an explosion of books offering corrections! I found this little anecdote about Goold Brown, author of The Grammar of English Grammars (!, 1851), quite amusing:

Brown cites innumerable examples of actual “incorrect” usages from Lowth’s and Murray’s grammars as well as from the great writers of English literature, such as Addison. From any rational view he would seem to have collected a vast body of evidence to refute his own argument, but to Goold Brown the usage of the greatest writers was of no account compared to his own peculiar appreciation of the logic underlying grammar. (p. 246)

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A textbook, but well written for anyone with a serious interest in dictionary creation.

[Iliada · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book strictly for those who are interested in the field of lexicography or for university students. A little repetitive at times but quite qood.

[Hader Al mahdi]

ThAnks a lot. Really i would like to see