This chapter deals with an annotated copy of Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language. Between 1808 and 1811, Edmond Malone, the Shakespearian scholar and a member of Johnson’s literary club, added nearly 3000 notes to his copy of the Dictionary (now in the British Library) as his tribute to the importance of his friend’s extraordinary achievement and his personal contribution to improve on it. The chapter focusses on the A-E section of the Dictionary and the annotations to be found there (approximately, 20% of the total), and provides a qualitative analysis of them by discussing in turn new entries and new definitions penned by Malone, added quotations to already existing entries, new and revised etymologies, and miscellaneous notes. This is meant to show how research on early annotated copies of the Dictionary - a still neglected area in Johnsonian studies – may highlight educated dictionary users’ viewpoints, thus offering present-day researchers reliable and interesting data on the way Johnson’s lexicographical achievement was received by the cultural élite of his times.

A hundred visions and revisions: Malone's annotations to Johnson's Dictionary / G. Iamartino (LEXICOGRAPHICA. SERIES MAIOR). - In: Historical Dictionaries in their Paratextual Context / [a cura di] R. McConchie, J. Tyrrko. - Prima edizione. - Berlin : Walter de Gruyter, 2018 Sep. - ISBN 9783110572865. - pp. 115-147 [10.1515/9783110574975-005]

A hundred visions and revisions: Malone's annotations to Johnson's Dictionary

G. Iamartino
2018

Abstract

This chapter deals with an annotated copy of Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language. Between 1808 and 1811, Edmond Malone, the Shakespearian scholar and a member of Johnson’s literary club, added nearly 3000 notes to his copy of the Dictionary (now in the British Library) as his tribute to the importance of his friend’s extraordinary achievement and his personal contribution to improve on it. The chapter focusses on the A-E section of the Dictionary and the annotations to be found there (approximately, 20% of the total), and provides a qualitative analysis of them by discussing in turn new entries and new definitions penned by Malone, added quotations to already existing entries, new and revised etymologies, and miscellaneous notes. This is meant to show how research on early annotated copies of the Dictionary - a still neglected area in Johnsonian studies – may highlight educated dictionary users’ viewpoints, thus offering present-day researchers reliable and interesting data on the way Johnson’s lexicographical achievement was received by the cultural élite of his times.
Samuel Johnson; Edmond Malone; annotations in dictionaries; early reception of Johnson’s Dictionary
Settore L-LIN/12 - Lingua e Traduzione - Lingua Inglese
set-2018
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/597288
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