Frequently Asked Questions
Dictionaries
How will a dictionary look in 2050? |
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No one is really sure, but it seems likely that by the middle of the century all dictionaries will be in electronic form. Now that space issues are less important, dictionaries will be able to include more 'encyclopedic' information, such as biographical and geographical entries, names of famous books, and historical events. They will also be able to be updated more rapidly. Multimedia will play a part, with audio pronunciations, illustrations, and video present for many words. But the general idea of a dictionary - a resource that provides explanations of words and how they are used - will remain the same.
Other questions in this section: What is a dictionary?
What are people referring to when they talk about the 'Oxford Dictionary'?
Are dictionaries always in alphabetical order?
Are dictionaries really necessary?
Are lexicographers good spellers?
Are other languages besides English recorded in huge multi-volume dictionaries?
Do dictionary-makers ever make mistakes?
Do you include words used on the Internet?
How can I access OED Online?
How do you decide if a new word should go in an Oxford dictionary?
How do you decide what to include in a dictionary?
How do you know what a word means?
How has computer technology affected dictionary-making?
How have dictionaries changed over the years?
How will a dictionary look in 2050?
How will revision affect the size of the OED?
Is there an official committee which regulates the English language?
What skills and talents does a lexicographer need?
When will the Third Edition of the OED be published?
Will you put the word I have invented into the dictionary?
If, after browsing the FAQs, you still can't find the answer to your question then submit your query to the AskOxford Language Query team.
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