Lexicography

Dictionary and Lexicography personnel assist language communities to create dictionary products.

Lexicography Technician

Lexicography Technicians collect, organize, and categorize lexical data, entering data into an electronic format as part of an established language development team or under the supervision of a senior Lexicographer. 

Lexicography Technicians should hold an undergraduate degree or have equivalent experience. They should also be able to show satisfactory performance in courses substantially similar to the following SIL standard courses:

  • Lexicography
  • Phonetics
  • Phonology
  • Morphology and Syntax
  • Semantics and Pragmatics
  • Linguistic Field Methods
  • Computer Data Management

In addition, the following courses are highly recommended: 

Those who are working in languages and cultures outside their own should also have

  • Language and Culture Learning

Lexicography Technicians should have basic competence in appropriate software tools. Prior cross-cultural experience is helpful but not required.

Lexicographer

Lexicographers design and set up dictionary-making projects for particular audiences, and train and mentor the lexicography technicians involved in the collecting, organizing, and categorizing of lexical data and in the use of appropriate software to store and publish a dictionary. Experienced Lexicographers also train and mentor community members and Lexicography Technicians.

Lexicographers should hold an undergraduate degree and have experience as a Lexicography Technician or have equivalent experience. They should be able to show satisfactory performance in courses substantially similar to the following SIL standard courses:

  • Lexicography
  • Phonetics
  • Phonology
  • Morphology and Syntax
  • Semantics and Pragmatics
  • Linguistic Field Methods
  • Computer Data Management
  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Language and Society
  • Introduction to Language Development
  • Language and Culture Learning
  • Language Program Planning and Implementation

In addition, the following course is highly recommended:

  • Orthography

Lexicographers should be competent in advanced software for the management of lexical data, dictionary making, and dictionary formatting.  

Lexicography Consultant

Lexicography Consultants are responsible for the advising, training, mentoring, coaching, and career path development of those involved in dictionary-making. 

Lexicography Consultants should hold a Master-level degree in Linguistics, or a Bachelor’s degree with 2–3 years related experience. Lexicography Consultants should be able to show satisfactory performance in courses substantially similar to the following SIL standard courses:

  • Lexicography
  • Phonetics
  • Phonology
  • Morphology and Syntax
  • Semantics and Pragmatics
  • Linguistic Field Methods
  • Computer Data Management
  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Language and Society
  • Introduction to Language Development
  • Language and Culture Learning
  • Language Program Planning and Implementation
  • Historical Linguistics

In addition, the following courses are highly recommended:

  • Discourse Analysis
  • Orthography

Lexicography Consultants should be competent in using advanced software for the management of lexical data, dictionary making, and dictionary formatting. Previous field experience and cross-cultural experience are essential.