The Cambridge World History of Lexicography

A dictionary records a language and a cultural world. It includes poets, soldiers, saints, courtiers, and scribe in ancient Egyptian houses of life and Vietnamese queens. Leading scholars provide insight into the dictionaries of hundreds of languages, the imaginative worlds of those who used or observed them, and the literate cultures of humankind.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 973 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

A dictionary serves as a remarkable record of both language and the rich cultural tapestry of the world. Spanning a vast expanse of global history, this comprehensive survey encompasses the entirety of the dictionaries created by humanity, from the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, and the Greco-Roman world to the contemporary speech communities found across every inhabited continent. The creators of these dictionaries were a diverse group, comprising poets and soldiers, saints and courtiers, a scribe in an ancient Egyptian house of life, and even a Vietnamese queen. Their physical manifestations range from the delicate Tamil palm-leaf manuscripts to the digital dictionary apps that are tirelessly championing the preservation of endangered Australian languages.

Through engaging and accessible scholarly investigations, a diverse team of esteemed experts delves into the intricate details of hundreds of languages, unraveling the imaginative realms of those who used or observed them, and shedding light on the vibrant array of literate cultures that have flourished throughout human history. This captivating journey offers a profound understanding of the profound impact of dictionaries on shaping languages, cultures, and the collective human intellect.

Weight: 1350g
Dimension: 152 x 231 x 56 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316631119