Lexicography as a philosophy of language

Seargeant, Philip (2011). Lexicography as a philosophy of language. Language Sciences, 33(1) pp. 1–10.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.langsci.2010.06.002

Abstract

This article analyses the presuppositions about language upon which lexicography is built, and examines the linguistic ideologies to which dictionary projects in turn contribute. The contention is that dictionaries produce and reproduce specific and historically contingent beliefs about language, which are then co-opted into wider social and political practice such as the reification of national linguistic difference by national dictionary projects. To explore this contention, the article surveys the claims made by lexicographic projects and analyses the ways in which this ‘lexicographic ideology’ is invoked in a selection of political initiatives and philosophical works.

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About

• Item ORO ID
• 22241
• Item Type
• Journal Item
• ISSN
• 0388-0001
• Keywords
• dictionary; language conceptualisation; Georges Bataille; national language; scriptism; world Englishes
• Academic Unit or School
• Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) > Languages and Applied Linguistics > English Language & Applied Linguistics
  Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) > Languages and Applied Linguistics
  Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS)
• Research Group
• Centre for Research in Education and Educational Technology (CREET)
  Language & Literacies
• Copyright Holders
• © 2010 Elsevier Ltd
• Depositing User
• Philip Seargeant