Dictionaries The Art and Craft of Lexicography

This second edition of Sidney I. Landau's landmark work offers a comprehensive and entirely up-to-date description of how diction-arles are researched and written, with particular attention to the ways in which computer technology has changed modern lexicog-raphy. A completely new chapter has been added and every chapter has been updated and reorganized to reflect the changes. Landau has an insider's practical knowledge of making dictionaries and every feature of the dictionary is examined and explained, with fre-quent examples given from the latest dictionaries of the US and Britain. A history of English lexicography is also included. The book is both practically grounded and soundly based on current lexico-graphic scholarship. Written in a readable style, free of jargon and unnecessary technical language, it will appeal to readers with no special knowledge of the field readers simply interested in dic-tionaries - as well as to professional lexicographers.

From reviews of the first edition

"Here is a new thing under the sun; a virtually exhaustive treatment of lex-icography...should be required reading for all lexicographers and can be heartily recommended to everyone else who cares to know what diction-aries are like and how to use them to best advantage.'

The Times Literary Supplement

Consistently informative and never ponderous, this book conveys an abun-dance of detail with wit, grace, and style.' Choice

Sidney L. Landau is former Editorial Director of the North American Branch of Cambridge University Press and has been engaged in lexicogra-phy since 1961. He has contributed widely to professional Journals in the field and is editor of the International Dictionary of Medicine and Biology (1986) and the Cambridge Dictionary of American English (2000).