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Finding The Forgotten Creators Of The Oxford English Dictionary
Dec 13, 2024
Join linguist Sarah Ogilvie, a former editor of the Oxford English Dictionary and author of "The Dictionary People," along with Anne Curzan, Professor of English at the University of Michigan and author of "Says Who?" They uncover the hidden stories of the unsung heroes behind the Oxford English Dictionary. Discover how diverse contributors—especially women and those from marginalized backgrounds—shaped this monumental work. The discussion also explores the dictionary's evolution in the digital age and its relevance in today's language landscape.
33:00
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Quick takeaways
- The Oxford English Dictionary's extensive history is shaped by diverse contributors, including women and marginalized individuals, enriching its linguistic narrative.
- Modern dictionaries are evolving to capture the dynamism of language influenced by social media, balancing real-time usage with scholarly rigor.
Deep dives
The Legacy of the Oxford English Dictionary
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is the world's most comprehensive English language dictionary, notable for its diachronic approach, which traces the history of each word through time. Unlike smaller dictionaries that provide a snapshot of a word's meaning at a particular moment, the OED includes extensive etymologies and historical quotations that demonstrate how meanings have evolved. This ambitious project was initiated in the mid-19th century with a vision to document every English word, necessitating vast efforts from contributors worldwide. The scale of this undertaking highlighted the need for collaboration beyond scholarly circles, showcasing the dictionary's rich tapestry of linguistic history.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode