DEFINITIONS
What is lexicography?
The theory and practice of dictionary-making.
Where were some of the earliest recorded lexical collections found?
Ancient Mesopotamia.
What is lexical semantics?
The study of word meanings and relationships.
What is a monolingual dictionary?
A dictionary that defines words within a single language.
What does lexicography study?
The collection, selection, and organization of words and their meanings.
What were these early lexical collections written on?
Cuneiform tablets.
What is lexicology?
The study of the lexicon and vocabulary systems.
What do bilingual and multilingual dictionaries do?
They translate between two or more languages.
What are the two branches of lexicography?
Theoretical and Practical Lexicography.
What role did bilingual glossaries play?
They helped bridge languages and served merchants, scholars, and diplomats.
What does linguistic theory provide?
Foundations for understanding language structure.
Give two examples of specialized dictionaries.
Medical and legal dictionaries.
(Technical dictionaries are also correct.
What does Practical Lexicography involve?
Compiling, editing, and publishing dictionaries.
How did the printing press influence lexicography?
It enabled wider distribution and standardization of dictionaries.
Why is meaning and usage important in lexicography?
It explains how words function in context.
What are electronic dictionaries?
Digital dictionaries offering features such as instant search, audio pronunciation, and multimedia.
What does Theoretical Lexicography study?
he principles, methods, and linguistic foundations governing dictionary design and structure.
Which period saw the emergence of comprehensive national dictionaries such as Johnson’s and Webster’s?
The 18th–19th centuries.
What does dictionary structure deal with?
Principles of entry organization and definition
Which type of dictionary is especially useful for experts in a particular field?
Specialized dictionaries