THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
51
DICTIONARY USE IN THE PAST AND TODAY
Yoqubova Charos Mansur qizi
2nd year student at the Jizzakh Branch of the national
university of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek
Abdurahmonova Zilola Yakubjanovna
Supervisor:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14620924
Abstract
: This article explores the usage of dictionaries in the past and
today. The evolution of dictionaries from the past to today reflects significant
advancements in technology, language development, and access to information.
Past Dictionaries:
1. Printed Format: Early dictionaries were printed books, such as Samuel
Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language (1755), which was one of the
first comprehensive English dictionaries. These dictionaries were painstakingly
compiled by scholars, with entries often focusing on etymology, definitions, and
usage examples.
2. Limited Scope: Early dictionaries were often limited in scope and did not
include the breadth of words found in modern dictionaries. They focused mainly
on formal language and might have excluded slang or regional terms.
3. Manual Compilation: Creating dictionaries required meticulous manual effort,
with lexicographers often working for years to compile and edit content.
4. Access: Access to dictionaries was limited to physical copies, which were
expensive and not widely available.
Modern Dictionaries:
1. Digital Format: Today, many dictionaries are available online or in digital
form. Popular platforms like Merriam-Webster, Oxford English Dictionary, and
Collins allow real-time updates, making dictionaries more dynamic and
responsive to language changes.
2. Comprehensive and Inclusive: Modern dictionaries are more inclusive,
capturing new words, slang, and regional terms that reflect contemporary usage.
They also often include detailed phonetic symbols, pronunciation guides, and
example sentences.
3. Real-Time Updates: Online dictionaries continuously update their content to
include new words, meanings, and shifts in language use. Some platforms even
allow users to contribute or vote on new words.
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
52
4. Access and Convenience: Dictionaries today are easily accessible via
smartphones, websites, and apps, offering instant access to definitions and
translations, often with features like voice search and translation.
Purpose and functionality
Past: In earlier times, dictionaries were primarily used as authoritative
resources for spelling and definitions, often aimed at scholars, writers, and those
with formal education. Dictionaries were seen as tools for standardizing
language and ensuring proper usage, especially in a period when literacy rates
were lower, and people relied heavily on printed texts.
Today: The role of dictionaries has expanded significantly with digital access.
While they still serve the function of providing definitions and spelling, they now
also support language learning, pronunciation, and even translation.
Dictionaries today are used not only by scholars but by anyone with access to a
smartphone or computer, making them accessible to a much broader audience.
They have also become resources for exploring grammar, idioms, synonyms, and
usage in various contexts, with modern dictionaries increasingly offering advice
on the social and cultural appropriateness of certain words.
Language learning and pronunciation
Past: In the past, dictionary users needed a solid understanding of phonetic
symbols and linguistic rules to decode pronunciation. Most printed dictionaries
provided limited aids to pronunciation, and users had to rely on their knowledge
of phonetics or consult other references.
Today: Pronunciation has become much easier to learn thanks to the addition of
audio recordings and pronunciation guides in modern dictionaries. With the
help of digital platforms, users can hear how words are pronounced in real-time,
aiding in language learning and perfecting accents. This feature is particularly
valuable for non-native speakers and language learners who may struggle with
traditional phonetic symbols.
Conclusion
The usage of dictionaries has evolved dramatically from their past role as
authoritative, static books to dynamic, accessible, and interactive tools for
learning and communication. Today, dictionaries serve a wide range of
functions, from everyday reference materials to powerful language-learning
aids, and they are increasingly shaped by the contributions of the global
community. The integration of technology has made dictionaries not only more
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
53
accessible but also more adaptable to the rapid changes in language, ensuring
that they continue to serve as an indispensable resource for generations to
come.
References:
1.
Banerjee, A and Watson, T.F.(2011) Pickard’s manual of operative
dentistry 9thed. Oxford: Univer2.
2.
Bauer Laurie, Huddleston Rodney and Pullum Geoffrey, 2002, “Lexical
word-formation”, The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language, Chapter19,
1621-1722.
3.
Lakoff George & Johnson Mark. Metaphors we live by. -USA. The
University of Chicago Press. 1980.4.
Mednicova E.M. Seminars in English Lexicology. Moscow, 1978.5.
4.
Nida E.A. Morphology. The Descriptive Analysis of Words; University of
Michigan, 1946.6.Teshaboyeva, N, & Mamayoqubova, S.(2020).
Communicative Approach to language teaching.
5.
Teshaboyeva, N. (2020). Linguistic Personality, ITS STRUCTURAL
CHARASTERICS IN THE NEW PERSPECTIVE DIRECTIONS.
6.
Teshaboyeva ,N Z,(2019). TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH LITERATURE
INTESL AND TEFL CLASSROOMS.
7.
Teshaboyeva, N, & Rayimberdiyev, S.(2023, May). The IMPORTANCE OF
USING MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING ENGLISH CLASSES. In
academic International Conference on Multi-Disciplinary Studies and Education
8.
Pardaboyeva Mohira: TERMINOLOGY AND SPECIALIZED DICTIONARIES:
IMPACT AND IMPORTANCE.
