WHAT DOES A LEXICOGRAPHER DO? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Lexicography / Photo Credit: Oxford Dictionaries Blog

WHAT DOES A LEXICOGRAPHER DO? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

What Does A Lexicographer Do?      

As a lexicographer, you'll write, compile and edit dictionaries for both print and online publication. In the entertainment industry this is a great way to become a researcher, reader or open the door as a writer.

The work involves searching specialist databases comprising thousands of pieces of language from a range of sources, including literature, newspapers, online journals, blogs, discussion groups and transcripts of television and radio (known as the 'corpus'), for evidence of meanings and usages of a word or phrase. You'll use this evidence and your own judgement and experience to reassess existing entries and identify and consider possible new entries.

As nearly all dictionaries are now online and encompass a broad range of related resources, the role is evolving to meet these changes. You may also be involved in creating and sourcing this add-on material and marketing the whole package online, particularly through social media. In these roles, you're likely to be called a dictionary editor.

Responsibilities

As a lexicographer you'll typically need to: 

• Research and identify new words that are in common usage for inclusion in the dictionary…
• Create new entries using accurate and succinct definitions…
• Accurately represent the various meanings of new and existing words…
• Assess which meaning of a word is the primary (most used) meaning and which meanings are secondary or less commonly used…
• Review and edit existing definitions…
• Check and proofread entries…
• Make sure that the style and format of words is in strict accordance with previously agreed protocols…
• Translate words and expressions in both directions (as a bilingual lexicographer)… 

If working as a dictionary editor on an online dictionary resource, you'll also need to: 

• Organize dictionary updates, coordinating the work of freelancers…
• Create or source add-on materials, such as blogs, slideshows, videos, quizzes, word games and thesauruses…
• Market the dictionary and its associated resources via social media…
• Get involved with web design and seo (search-engine optimization) to ensure that web traffic grows…
• Come up with ways to increase user engagement with the resource… 

At senior level, you'll typically have responsibility for a team of staff and will decide upon future projects, agreeing on a framework, methodology and style of presentation, and ensure that it comes in on time and to budget.

Working hours

You'll typically work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, although you may need to work some extra hours to meet project deadlines.

What to expect

Entry into the profession is competitive as there are only a few publishers who produce dictionaries.

Most lexicographers begin their careers as freelance contributors to dictionaries. It may be possible to begin your career as an assistant editor or editorial assistant and move into the role of lexicographer as you gain publishing experience. As the profession is small, there are limited opportunities to take up senior positions.

Qualifications

A degree in English language is particularly useful for a lexicography career. Other relevant degree subjects include: 

• Classics…
• English literature…
• History/politics…
• Linguistics…
• Modern languages… 

A degree in a foreign language is essential for working as a bilingual lexicographer and further experience, such as teaching or translation work, will improve your chances of employment. It may also be useful, although not essential, to have a Master’s degree in language, linguistics or translation.

For learners' dictionaries, you'll need an English language teaching (ELT) qualification and teaching experience.

Skills

You will need to show: 

• An excellent command of English and, for bilingual lexicographers, relevant foreign language expertise…
• A practical understanding of the mechanics of grammar and the ability to use grammar correctly and identify instances of incorrect usage…
• The ability to describe a complex thing in a few words, and for English language lexicographers, the ability to recognize subtle differences between meanings, an appreciation of how English is used in other English-speaking countries and an appreciation of the difficulties of learning English…
• An excellent eye for detail, both for spotting errors and for identifying inconsistencies of presentation style…
• Flair and imagination - lexicography is not merely a mechanical process and you must be able to strike the right balance between explanation and concision…
• The ability to learn and work within the publisher's house style…
• Team working and communication skills - although you need to be able to concentrate and work well on your own, lexicography is an essentially collaborative process, and you exchange ideas and discuss problems with other editors…
• Effective time management and organizational skills with the ability to coordinate the work of other…s
• The ability to work rapidly and logically with complex information…
• Confidence in using a range of specialist software, such as corpus-querying software, dictionary-writing software and WordPress…
• An understanding of SEO and how websites can increase their traffic and engage with users… 

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, Careers Hub, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Blurb, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Chron, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, How Stuff Works, WGA, BBC, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, UCAS, Frankenbite, Realty 101, Careers Hub, Sokanu, Raindance, Film Connection, My Job Search, Prospects,

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Lexicography / Photo Credit: Oxford Dictionaries Blog