Who decides what's in the dictionary? | Ilan Stavans

The video explores the history and evolution of dictionaries, starting with early definitions by Ambrose Bierce and Samuel Johnson. It highlights Noah Webster's creation of an American dictionary to establish a distinct American English. Webster's work was later expanded by the Merriam brothers, leading to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Modern dictionaries now include words based on widespread use and reflect societal changes, such as the inclusion of nonbinary pronouns. The video emphasizes that language is shaped by collective use and that dictionaries now consider user input for word inclusion.

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