3. What is a “dictionary”?
A book containing a selection of words of a language or a
some special subjects arranged alphabetically with
explanation about them.
a collection of words in one or more specific languages,
often listed alphabetically, with usage
information, definitions, etymologies, phonetics,
pronunciations, and other information.
4. a dictionary may be regarded as a lexicographical product that
is characterized by three significant features:
(1) it contains data that have been selected for the purpose of
fulfilling those functions; and
(2) its lexicographic structures link and establish relationships
between the data so that they can meet the needs of users
and fulfill the functions of the dictionary.
(3) it has been prepared for one or more functions;
5. USES
Define or translate words
verify spelling syllabication or pronunciation
check on usage (prescriptive and descriptive)
to determine the etymological history of a word
to an extent, standardize the language
6. 3 types of Dictionary:
COMPACT
is, naturally, a small pocket sized variety that
is somewhat limited in the scope of it's content.
7. GENERAL
lies somewhere between specialized and compact
dictionary.
the most common version that people would have in
their home and is the best for everyday use.
8. FUNCTIONS:
to provide definitions,
proper pronunciation,
correct spelling
and derivations
any restrictive labels attached to a word.
9. 1. Unabridged
Dictionaries
contains 265 000 of words and more.
Unabridged dictionaries are the most scholarly and
comprehensive of all dictionaries, sometimes consisting of
many volumes.
They emphasize the history of words and the variety of their
uses.
10. Examples of Unabridged Dictionary
• Webster’s 3rd new international dictionary. 1961
• The random house dictionary.
• The Oxford English Dictionary, (20 volumes)
• The Random House Dictionary of the English Language
• Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English
Language
11. 2. Abridged Dictionaries
often called desk dictionaries, list 150,000 to
250,000 words and concentrate largely on fairly
common words and meanings. A good desk
dictionary will serve most reference needs for
writing or reading.
12. Examples of Abridged Dictionaries
The American heritage dictionary
Webster’s new collegiate dictionary
Webster’s new world dictionary of American language
The random house college dictionary
The American heritage dictionary
13. 3. Reduced-Word Dictionaries
Limited to under 60,000 words
Example:
Oxford American dictionary ( 30,000
WORDS)
14. (Specialized Dictionaries)
specialized dictionary is a dictionary that covers a relatively
restricted set of phenomena.
an exhaustive volume that specialises in the history of words.
It enlarges on where words come from and how they acquired
their present meaning.
15. Example of Specialized Dictionaries
Dictionary of American regional English
The random house cross- word puzzle dictionary
16. Etymological/Diachronic Dictionary
The diachronic or historical dictionary has a special class in it
which can be called etymological.
Shows and gives history of words
An etymological dictionary traces a word's development
over time, giving historical examples to show changes.
17. Example of Etymological/ diachronic dictionary
Oxford English dictionary
Ancient Greek Etymological Dictionary
Afroasiatic Etymological Dictionary
18. Slang dictionaries
Reasons for importance:
Indicates the variations of meanings of a given slang terms
of words and to trace thier history
Defines all expression well
Aids authors in finding words which will covey the
background , class, or occupation of a given character
19. Just for pain curiosity and interest
Example of slang dictionaries:
dictionary of American slang
Thesaurus of slang
New dictionary of American slang
20. Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonym- a word with the same/similar meaning
Antonym- words that mean the opposite
21. Example:
Roget’s international thesaurus
Roget’s thesaurus of English of words and phrases
Webster collegiate thesaurus
Webter’s new dictionary for synonym
22. Dictionaries of Abbreviations and
Acronyms
Subject Dictionaries
Explain particular meanings for particular words/
terms for professions, occupation, or areas of
subject interest.
24. Foreign Language Dictionaries:
The cassel’s series
Dictionary of foreign phrases and abbreviations
Larrousse also publishes dictionaries
25. Biographical Dictionary
Biographical dictionaries – ESSAY FORM
type of encyclopedic dictionary limited to biographical information –
have been written in many languages.
Many attempt to cover the major personalities of a country (with
limitations, such as living persons only, in Who's Who, or deceased
people only,
Example:
Dictionary of National Biography
26. Current Biographical Dictionaries
are published at regular intervals and provide
information about contemporaries, for example,
biographical works of the “Who’s Who” type.
27. Example:
Current Biography
The New York Times Biographical Service
Newsmakers (Gale Research Co.)
28. Retrospective Biographical Dictionaries:
a work containing information about the lives and work
of various persons, usually listed alphabetically; some
dictionaries classify persons by time period or descriptive
category.
29. Example:
MC gram hill encyclopedia of word biography
Webter’s new biographical dictionary
New century cyclopedia of names
30. Retrospective Biographical
Dictionaries: National
Dictionary of American Biography
Dictionary of American Negro Biograph
Who Was Who – Britain
Who Was Who in America: Historical Volume 1607-
1896