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How do descriptive dictionaries handle words that many speakers consider incorrect or objectionable?
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Linguistics
Much of the foundation of 20th-century sociolinguistics was created by the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857â1913).
Descriptive dictionaries aim to record language as it is actually used rather than dictating how it should be used. Because their goal is to provide an accurate, unbiased account of the living language, they include words that some speakers may consider incorrect or objectionable, provided those words have widespread and prolonged usage.12
To handle such terms, lexicographers employ several strategies:
- Usage Labels: Dictionaries use labels to indicate constraints on a wordâs use, such as slang, informal, or regional. These labels help provide context regarding the appropriateness of a word in different settings.3
- Usage Notes: When a word is widely disparaged or controversial, dictionaries often include a usage note or a special paragraph. These notes provide guidance by explaining that the usage may be received unfavorably and sometimes suggest more standard alternatives.13
- Objective Reporting: Lexicographers view themselves as chroniclers of language. Regarding terms of ethnic insult or other taboos, some argue that open discussion and documentation of these words in a dictionary can be an enlightened way to address and expose social prejudices.14
Ultimately, descriptive lexicography prioritizes evidence from linguistic corpora over personal or societal "rules" of correctness.1