Forensic dictionary analysis: Principles and practice

Julie Coleman*, Sarah Ogilvie

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Lexicographers often provide an account of their working practices and policies, and reviewers and researchers generally take this on trust. Forensic dictionary analysis uses evidence-based methodologies to interrogate the dictionaries themselves about decision-making processes involved in their compilation. The version of events that this reveals is sometimes quite different from compilers' accounts. This paper builds on a variety of approaches in historical dictionary researchstatistical, textual, contextual, and qualitativeto present forensic dictionary analysis as a technique that allows researchers to examine and understand the complex relationships between editorial policy and lexicographic practice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-22
Number of pages22
JournalInternational Journal of Lexicography
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2009
Externally publishedYes

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