Lexicographer Legal, Social & Cultural Professionals
SaveWhat Does a {{ profession.preferred_title|title }} Do?
Lexicographers write and compile the content for dictionaries. They also determine which new words are common use and should be included in the glossary.
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Where Do I Start?
Grammar
The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Lexicographer
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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Essential
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EssentialScientific Research Methodology knowledge
The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.
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EssentialCopyright Legislation knowledge
Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPractical Lexicography knowledge
The science of compiling and editing dictionaries.
Recommended Books
3 books
The Oxford Guide to Practical Lexicography -
EssentialSpelling knowledge
The rules concerning the way words are spelled.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialLinguistics knowledge
The scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialApply Grammar And Spelling Rules skill
Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConsult Information Sources skill
Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Work Schedule skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSearch Databases skill
Search for information or people using databases.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCreate Definitions skill
Create clear definitions for words and concepts. Make sure they convey the exact meaning of the words.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of {{ profession.optional_skills|length }} displayed)
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OptionalTheoretical Lexicography knowledge
The academic field dealing with the syntagmatic, paradigmatic, and semantic relationships within the vocabulary of a certain language.
Recommended Books
3 book{{ skill.books|length|pluralize }}A Guide to Practical Online Lexicography
The Oxford Guide to Practical Lexicography -
OptionalTypology knowledge
The subdiscipline of linguistics that structurally categorises languages by describing the common properties and structural diversity of languages.
Recommended Books
1 book{{ skill.books|length|pluralize }}Language Universals and Linguistic Typology -
OptionalSearch Engines knowledge
The methods and techniques to navigate search engines and find information quickly.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalProject Management Principles knowledge
Different elements and phases of project management.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalConsult With Editor skill
Consult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDo Historical Research skill
Use scientific methods to research history and culture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Budgets skill
Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSupervise Staff skill
Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSupervise Work skill
Direct and supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate personnel.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTranslate Language Concepts skill
Translate one language into another language. Match words and expressions with their corresponding brothers in other languages, while making sure that the message and nuances of the original text are …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEdit Dictionary Entries skill
Edit the work of fellow lexicographers to make sure information is correct and complete.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalIdentify New Words skill
Determine if there are new words being used by a significant number of people by doing research.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTranslate Foreign Language skill
Translate words, sentences, and concepts from a foreign language into your mother tongue or another foreign language.
Course recommendations coming soon.