Johnson's Dictionary (1755) (18 Jan 1755 Jahr – 19 Jan 1755 Jahr)

Beschreibung:

Published 1755

Supposedly descriptivist, but contained many prescriptivist elements.

Intended to display which words were correct or proper to use.

Language was “copius without order” and “energetick without rules”

Johnson realised that language was impossible to “fix”, because of its dynamic nature.

States that his goal was to record the language of the day.

Left out proper nouns, words he couldn’t explain, law, medicine, physical sciences, rude words...

Included obsolete/archaic words

Used literary references only from authors who he felt were esteemed.

Stated that the Age of Elizabeth was a golden age of the language.

Claimed that merchants were slowly corrupting English through their dealings with foreigners.