Lexicographer

Lexicographers apply their fascination for words and developing meaning, to writing, compiling and editing dictionaries for print and online publication

As a lexicographer, you'll search 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 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.

There is also an academic branch of lexicography, also known as metalexicography, which analyses the practices of lexicography.

Types of lexicographer

Lexicographers work on a variety of dictionaries in the UK and often specialise. The main ones are:

• general dictionaries - for native speakers and learners of English
• thesaurus and synonym
• children’s dictionaries - with age appropriate definitions
• bilingual and multilingual dictionaries, for native speakers or learners of English
• technical or specialist dictionaries, such as for law or medicine
• historical and etymological
• regional and dialect
• slang/colloquial - e.g. Urban Dictionary
• machine-readable and AI-integrated dictionaries - lexicographers work alongside computational linguists, AI developers and data scientists to develop these.

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
• use software tools, such as corpus-querying software and dictionary-writing software to assist you, and utilise AI and automation for enhanced data collection and analysis
• 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:

• organise 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 search engine optimisation (SEO) 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 everything comes in on time and to budget.

Salary

• Typical entry-level salaries for assistant editors or editorial assistants are in the region of £20,000 to £30,000, depending on role and location.
• With experience, as a mid-level lexicographer or in the role of a senior editor, you can earn £25,000 to £40,000. As a highly experienced lexicographer or managing editor you could potentially earn up to £60,000.
• Most lexicographers work on a freelance basis. Rates of pay depend on level of experience and skill but may typically be in the region of £20 to £50 per hour.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

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 or 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 Masters degree in language, linguistics or translation.

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

Skills

You'll 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, identifying instances of incorrect usage
• the ability to describe complex things in a few words, and for English language lexicographers, the ability to recognise 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
• teamworking and communication skills
• effective time management and organisational skills with the ability to coordinate the work of others
• the ability to work rapidly and logically with complex information
• confidence in using a range of specialist software
• an understanding of SEO and how websites can increase their traffic and engage with users.

Work experience

Competition for posts is strong as the number of opportunities is limited, so networking can be helpful. Try getting some work experience with a publishing company and check with your university to see if they have links with publishing companies offering internships.

Experience in a related area, such as editing or proofreading, is also valuable. This experience will give you an insight into the publishing sector, as well as helping you build up your knowledge, skills and contacts. Many large, and some smaller, publishing houses offer work experience placements, which usually last around two weeks.

If you're unable to find a work placement, try and do some work shadowing with a publisher to get a feel for the role and to make contacts in the profession.

Other useful activities include:

• writing for or editing your university newspaper
• creating and writing your own blog
• developing an online presence, through social media (e.g. LinkedIn) and online freelance job boards, can help you promote yourself and your skills.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Oxford University Press is the main employer of in-house lexicographers, and this is largely for updates to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Other employers of in-house lexicographers, though to a lesser extent, include:

• Cambridge University Press
• Collins
• Macmillan
• Pearson Longman
• Merriam-Webster (US dictionary).

Most lexicographers work on a freelance basis, producing dictionaries and related resources for publishing companies.

Look for job vacancies at:

• The Bookseller
• Jobs.ac.uk - for research and academic vacancies.
• Oxford International Centre for Publishing
• Oxford University Press Jobs

Professional development

Almost all training takes place on the job. For example, you'll receive training on your employer's specialist software packages and databases, as well as on their house style, methods and procedures.

You'll be responsible for identifying your own professional development needs. This may include taking short courses in areas such as editing, proofreading, SEO, social media and lexicography. Relevant course providers include:

• Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
• Lexicom
• The Publishing Training Centre

Academic research at PhD level in lexicography and related areas such as lexicology, lexical semantics and the history of the English dictionary is possible at some universities. Bilingual lexicographers may undertake a Masters degree or further research in language, linguistics or translation.

Membership of European Association for Lexicography (EURALEX) is useful for keeping up to date with developments in lexicography and networking with colleagues.

Career prospects

The typical entry-level post is as assistant editor or the slightly more junior position of editorial assistant. Most of the workload involves routinely working on dictionary entries. Depending upon your ability, and with some experience, it's sometimes possible to take on responsibility for small projects.

As you gain experience, you may take on the role of editor or lexicographer. These titles are sometimes used interchangeably but involve different responsibilities. As a lexicographer, you'll still spend a large proportion of your time working on dictionary entries but will also have more input into how the title is put together, perhaps with responsibility for organising a project and coordinating a team of freelancers.

As a dictionary editor, you'll maintain the dictionary, organising the work of a team of freelancers, and work on creating and sourcing extra online resources, marketing and promoting the whole online resource.

A few people may move up into a position as a senior editor or managing editor. These roles are limited in number, and they tend to be taken by people with commercial awareness and drive. Much of the work at this level involves considering and deciding on the methodology for possible future projects. There are increasing opportunities to create online content and curate and integrate interactive resources.

Some lexicographers move into research or follow an academic career. It's also possible to move into related areas such as reference publishing, corpus linguistics and computational linguistics or into the wider publishing industry.