If You're Curious About These Questions...
You should listen to this audiobook
- Have you ever wondered why the simplest, most common words in the English language are actually the most difficult for experts to define?
- Did you know that dictionaries aren’t actually meant to be the 'language police'—and there’s a surprising reason why 'incorrect' words often make the cut?
- Are you curious about the secret, high-stakes process that determines exactly when a word is 'real' enough to earn its place in the dictionary?
Listen to Word by Word — Free Audiobook
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Key Takeaways from Word by Word
- Discover why creating dictionaries is not an outdated practice, but rather a dynamic, ongoing attempt to understand human communication.
- Learn how diverse backgrounds—from mathematics to sports—are highly valued in dictionary writing, a profession defined by deep focus and absolute silence.
- Understand why grammar lacks simple answers and absolute rules, making seemingly basic words like 'but' and 'the' the most difficult to classify.
- Realize that grammar isn't about stylistic right or wrong, as dictionary editors record language exactly as people use it rather than following imaginary rulebooks.
- Find out why supposedly 'incorrect' words like 'irregardless' earn a rightful place in the dictionary through historical and widespread public usage.
Learning Tools
Reinforce what you learned from Word by Word
Mind Map
Word by Word
The Lexicography Profession
Diverse Backgrounds
Work Environment
Core Purpose
Grammar's Hidden Complexity
No Absolute Rules
Classification Struggles
Debunking 'Wrong' Grammar
The Art of Defining
Lexical Defining
Real Defining
Reader Confusion
Curating the Dictionary
Inclusion Criteria
Revived Words
Validating 'Wrong' Words
Creating Citations
Boring by Design
Self-Contained
Editing Flairs
Controversy and Politicization
False Authority
Slang Backlash
Political Maëlstroms
Core Truth
Quiz — Test Your Understanding
Question 1 of 8
According to the text, what are the primary requirements and typical working conditions for a lexicographer?
Word by Word — Full Chapter Overview
Chapter 1: Recommendation
Chapter 2: For people who research language and communication professionally, lexicographers certainly cherish deep, profound silence greatly.
Chapter 3: Grammar is far more complicated than it seems at first glance.
Chapter 4: There is no right or wrong when it comes to grammar.
Chapter 5: Words deemed “wrong” can sometimes reveal older, long-forgotten meanings to readers today.
Chapter 6: There are two main types of definition, which can confuse dictionary users.
Chapter 7: To appear in the dictionary, words must satisfy three specific criteria consistently.
Chapter 8: It’s difficult to locate suitable citations for dictionaries, and inventing example sentences can be problematic as well sometimes.
Chapter 9: Lexicographers carry inherent authority, which means their work sometimes becomes politicized too.
Word by Word Summary & Overview
Word by Word (2017) is about an object, and its associated profession, for which people rarely spare a thought: dictionaries and the honorable occupation of lexicography. Kory Stamper introduces the fascinating world of word classification through her own experience at Merriam-Webster, showing what dictionaries can do and, just as importantly, what they don’t.
Who Should Listen to Word by Word?
- Language enthusiasts and linguistics nerds
- Lovers of English literature
- Anyone hoping to get a new perspective on underappreciated professions
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