History of Dictionaries and Lexicography

The video explores the history and development of English dictionaries, starting from the earliest glossaries in the medieval period to the modern lexicography of the 18th century. It highlights key figures like Samuel Johnson and the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. The video also discusses the emergence of American lexicography with Noah Webster's contributions and the evolution of dictionaries in the United States. The content emphasizes the changing nature of dictionaries and their role in language development.

What is lexicography?

• The study of ancient languages

• The science of language translation

• The editing or making of a dictionary

• The art of writing novels

Who began compiling glossaries in the medieval period?

• William Kton

• Thomas Elliot

• Robert Cawdrey

• John Kersey

What was the primary purpose of hardword dictionaries?

• To translate Latin words into English

• To list words that most people wouldn't know

• To provide definitions for common words

• To include all known words

Which dictionary was the first to include common words?

• Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language

• John Kersey's New English Dictionary

• Robert Cawdrey's dictionary

• Nathan Bailey's Universal Etymological English Dictionary

What was a notable feature of Samuel Johnson's dictionary?

• It included only scientific terms

• It was the first dictionary to include illustrations

• It was known for its quirky entries

• It was the shortest dictionary of its time

What did historical linguistics compare to learn about the history of words?

• Various Indo-European languages

• Modern English dialects

• Ancient Greek and Latin texts

• Medieval glossaries

Who wrote the first American dictionary?

• Noah Webster

• Samuel Johnson

• James Murray

• Nathan Bailey

What was a major flaw in Noah Webster's first dictionary?

• It included too many illustrations

• It ignored historical linguistics

• It was not published in America

• It was too concise

What significant change occurred to the Webster dictionary in 1864?

• It was translated into multiple languages

• It became more favored by Americans

• It was reduced in size

• It was no longer published