Analyzing Becky Sharp's Trash; 2007
- Where to find this in the Library
- You may access the physical version of this item by going to the Reading Room Reference Desk. Please provide the library staff with either the title and location of this item or the item's catalog call number.
- Identifier
- MS1133-0056
- Title
- Analyzing Becky Sharp's Trash; 2007
- Description
- This paper by Elisabeth S. Muhlenfeld delves into the rich history of the dictionary, anchored by the provocative act of Becky Sharp from William Makepeace Thackeray's 1848 novel "Vanity Fair". Dr. Muhlenfeld traces the evolution of dictionaries from their inception in 2800 BCE with the Sumerians, through various cultures and eras, to the creation of Samuel Johnson's seminal 1755 Dictionary, and beyond to the modern Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Highlighting key developments, such as Noah Webster's American Dictionary and the perceived need for the American Heritage Dictionary in response to Merriam-Webster's "permissiveness", Muhlenfeld paints a comprehensive picture of how dictionaries have shaped and been shaped by society, culminating in the monumental achievement of the OED—a project of over seventy years that reflects the monumental effort akin to historical explorations and achievements.
- Date
- 15 February 2007
- Creator
- Muhlenfeld, Elizabeth S.
- topic
- talk
- lecture
- SPHEX Club
- Elisabeth S. Muhlenfeld
- Muhlenfeld
- 2007
- dictionaries
- Becky Sharp
- Vanity Fair
- Samuel Johnson
- Noah Webster
- Oxford English Dictionary
- American Heritage Dictionary
- Merriam-Webster
- history of dictionaries
- English language
- cultural impact
- lexicography
- Type
- Text
- Genre
- lectures
- Digital Format
- application/pdf
- Language
- English
- Repository
- George M. Jones Library Association
- Rights
- https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
- Rights Holder
- Elizabeth S. Muhlenfeld