How to get a word added to the dictionary - Ilan Stavans

Summary

The video explores the evolution of dictionaries, from their ancient origins to the creation of Noah Webster’s influential American Dictionary in 1828. It highlights Webster's vision of an independent American English and the debate over including slang and regional variations. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, shaped by a collective of experts today, reflects the changing nature of language, with new words and definitions emerging based on societal shifts. The video also delves into how language, through dictionary entries, can validate or diminish identities, showing how each of us plays a role in shaping the words we use.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dictionaries are seen as a limiting device, as described by Ambrose Bierce, but also serve as a tool for language preservation.
• 😀 The first English dictionary was published by Robert Cawdrey in 1604, and since then, dictionaries have evolved significantly.
• 😀 Early dictionaries, like those written by Samuel Johnson and Ambrose Bierce, were influenced by their authors' personal opinions.
• 😀 Noah Webster published 'An American Dictionary of the English Language' in 1828, aiming to establish a distinct version of American English.
• 😀 Webster’s dictionary sought to document American English and included slang, which critics initially opposed.
• 😀 Webster's dictionary was influential in shaping the way Americans viewed their language as distinct from British English.
• 😀 Webster's personal opinions, such as excluding slang words from Black communities, influenced the dictionary’s content.
• 😀 The Merriam brothers purchased the rights to Webster’s dictionary and began publishing revised editions, creating the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
• 😀 Modern lexicographers no longer rely on one person's opinion to curate a dictionary but consult a team of experts.
• 😀 The criteria for including a word in the dictionary today includes widespread, sustained, and meaningful use of the word.
• 😀 Dictionaries reflect the changing nature of language, updating definitions based on cultural shifts and new social understandings, like the evolving definition of 'wife' and the inclusion of nonbinary pronouns like 'they'.

Q & A

What is the role of a dictionary according to the script?

A dictionary is described as a literary device that can limit the growth of language by making it rigid and inelastic.

How did Samuel Johnson define a lexicographer?

Samuel Johnson defined a lexicographer as a 'harmless drudge,' suggesting that they are hardworking but with a limited role.

What was Noah Webster's main goal with his dictionary?

Noah Webster's goal was to create an American version of the English language to assert the United States' independence from Britain.

How did Webster’s approach to dictionary writing differ from others at the time?

Webster broke the convention of prescriptive dictionaries by including slang words and local language variations, unlike most dictionaries that dictated how words should be used.

What controversy surrounded Noah Webster’s inclusion of slang in his dictionary?

Critics accused Webster of polluting the English language by including slang, arguing that it was inappropriate for a formal dictionary.

How did Webster define the word 'woman' in his dictionary?

Webster defined 'woman' as 'soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible,' reflecting his personal opinions on gender roles.

What happened to Webster’s dictionary after his death?

After his death, the Merriam brothers bought the rights to his dictionary and, along with Webster’s son-in-law, created a new revised edition, leading to the creation of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

How did the Merriam-Webster Dictionary evolve after Webster's death?

After Webster's death, Merriam-Webster began to base dictionary decisions on a group of language experts rather than a single authority, addressing the contradiction in Webster's goal.

What criteria does Merriam-Webster use to decide whether a word should be included in the dictionary?

The criteria for including a word in the Merriam-Webster dictionary are that it must have 'widespread, sustained, and meaningful use.'

How has the definition of the word 'wife' changed over time in dictionaries?

In the past, the word 'wife' was defined as a woman whose will is subject to her husband's. Today, it is simply defined as a female partner in a marriage.