The year 2011 is special for the Concise Oxford English Dictionary and – I would say – for lexicographers and language lovers worldwide. It marks the centenary of what is probably one of the most loved and used dictionaries of English. Oxford University Press has marked the occasion by publishing the twelfth edition of their Concise.
As customary, each new edition of the dictionary is an updated version of those that have preceded it. Like its predecessors, this version offers users the fruits of the latest efforts of lexicographers. New words have been added, some have been dropped, and new features have been included – or old ones improved – to make consultation easier. I shall address some of these later. However, to begin with, I shall mention some additions that have been included to mark this work's special anniversary.
To begin with, Oxford University Press has published a reprint of the first edition of the Concise. This is a real treat for those with an interest in lexicography, as well as for users, students, and lovers of English. All copies of the twelfth edition contain a free booklet with historical information on the dictionary, pictures, and interesting facts. It is certainly fascinating information for entries was gathered, sifted through, and published before the advent of computers. Also reproduced are copies sent to the Editors by members of the public. Apparently, the first letter received after publication – in 1911 – was from a member of the public asking for a refund. He or she had only purchased the dictionary to settle a spelling dispute (regarding the word Galliot). To the reader's disappointment, there was no entry for it in the Concise, hence the request. Perhaps as a consequence of the expense incurred all those years ago, the word is included in the current edition (p. 583). Another letter, dated 1944, from the War Office asks for clarification on the hyphenation of compound words with which the defenders of the realm “have had some difficulty”. Luckily, the current edition contains brief, clear guidelines on the topic.
There are other features that mark the centenary and are included in the dictionary itself. Some entries, following the usual information (e.g. pronunciation, definition and senses of the entry, grammatical and etymological information) include 1911/2011 grey boxes. Here the reader will find snippets of the history of the entry in the Concise. For example, under Lecher (p. 812) we learn that the popularity of the word has fallen and risen over time. In the first edition of the Concise and in the Oxford English Dictionary it was labelled “archaic”. But not today. The 1911 definition was “fornicator”, “debauchee”. In 2011, a Lecher is “a lecherous man”, someone “having or showing excessive or offensive sexual desire”. I happen to have the seventh edition of 1982 (reprinted with corrections in 1983) on my desk. Then a Lecher was a “lewd or unchaste man” as well as – of course – a “fornicator” or “debauchee”. For “lexicophiles” (a word I have just coined; not – for the time being – in the Concise) all this information is a real treat.
The newly published 2011 edition has been, as noted, fully updated. Graphically, the dictionary is very readable. The typeface is clear and neat; thumb marks (darkened, rather than indented) on outer margins make for easier location of the entries. A clear graphic guide to how the lexical information is displayed followed by a list of symbols and abbreviations is provided in the opening section and makes for easy consultation. Each word is given a straightforward definition, explaining its “core” meaning. Related sub‐senses are placed immediately after each core meaning. Usefully for foreign learners, information on the more appropriate contexts for a word is provided. For many entries, there is also information on register (formal‐informal; dated or archaic; literary; rare; derogatory; etc.).
With English having become a truly global language it is useful to find indications as to where a particular word is mainly used in the English‐speaking world. Variant spellings are also noted, as are pronunciations and their variants. The simple guide to phonetic symbols is provided at the beginning. Also most useful are the notes on grammar, especially for those areas that cause uncertainty or controversy (split infinitives, anyone?).
A lot has changed since 1911 and the Concise has kept up with technology. People who buy this dictionary will have 12 months' full access to Oxford Dictionaries Online. The excellent website allows everyone access; some features, however, are only available to those who – having purchased a printed copy – have registered online with the unique token provided inside the dictionary. Having tried it, I can testify to the usefulness of this extra feature.
The Concise Oxford English Dictionary was and remains an excellent tool. Like its predecessor, this edition too will be much appreciated. No household, school, or library should be without it.
