The Evolution of American English: From Johnson to Webster and Beyond
Samuel Johnson’s 1755 Dictionary of the English Language fundamentally shaped how we understand the role of a dictionary,establishing a benchmark for what became known as Standard English. Recognizing language as a dynamic entity, Johnson still created a work of remarkable conclusiveness, enjoying widespread authority for nearly a century.
However, its reign wasn’t eternal. In England, the Oxford English Dictionary eventually superseded Johnson’s work, but across the Atlantic, a different linguistic force was rising.
Noah Webster and the Birth of an American Lexicon
Noah Webster deliberately aimed to create a distinctly american language, diverging from British English. His American Dictionary of the English Language, debuting in 1828, wasn’t merely a revision; it was a declaration of linguistic independence.
Consider these key differences:
* Johnson’s dictionary contained roughly 42,000 words.
* Webster’s expanded this to a significant 70,000 entries.
* He incorporated New World terms like “skunk,” “boost,” and “roundabout.”
* Words of Native American origin, such as “canoe” and “moose,” found a place within its pages.
* terms borrowed from Mexican spanish, like “coyote,” were also included.
Most significantly, Webster championed simplified, Americanized spelling. This initiative began with his 1783 schoolbook speller,A Grammatical Institute of the English Language,and ultimately led to the “defence” and “center” spellings you use today,rather of the British “defence” and “centre.” he truly reshaped the language.
The Monumental Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition
By 1934, Webster’s legacy culminated in Webster’s New International Dictionary, Second Edition (Web. II), an “unabridged” behemoth. This wasn’t just a dictionary; it was a comprehensive reference work.
Imagine a doorstop of a book, boasting:
* 600,000 entries.
* 35,000 geographical names.
* 13,000 biographical names in the appendix.
* full-page illustrations covering topics like “Coins of the world” and “Poisonous Plants.”
* Some editions even included a 400-page “Reference History of the World.”
You’ll even find twenty separate definition entries dedicated solely to “banana.” Web.II functioned as an encyclopedia as much as a dictionary, offering a truly expansive view of the English language as it existed in the 20th century.
These dictionaries represent more than just definitions; they embody the evolving story of a language and the cultural forces that shape it. They demonstrate how deliberate choices can influence not only how we speak,but what we speak,solidifying a unique linguistic identity for the United States.
