Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lexicographer'

English Word: lexicographer

Key Russian Translations:

• лексикограф [lʲɪkˈsʲikəgrɑf] - [Formal, Academic]
• словарный составитель [ˈslovərnɨj səstəˈvʲitʲɪlʲ] - [Informal, Everyday usage in professional contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and rarely used outside linguistic or academic circles.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1-C2; Suitable for learners with a strong grasp of Russian grammar and vocabulary, as it involves technical terminology.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лексикограф: [lʲɪkˈsʲikəgrɑf]

Note on лексикограф: The stress falls on the third syllable ("си"), which is common in borrowed words. Be mindful of the palatalized 'к' sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

словарный составитель: [ˈslovərnɨj səstəˈvʲitʲɪlʲ]

Note on словарный составитель: This phrase has a compound structure; stress on "сло" in the first word and "ви" in the second. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who compiles dictionaries or studies lexicography

Translation(s) & Context:

• лексикограф - Used in formal academic or linguistic discussions, such as in university lectures or scholarly articles.
• словарный составитель - Applied in more general professional contexts, like publishing or everyday conversations about language work.

Usage Examples:

• Этот учёный — опытный лексикограф, который создал несколько важных словарей.

  This scholar is an experienced lexicographer who has created several important dictionaries.

• Мой друг работает как словарный составитель в издательстве и часто редактирует новые термины.

  My friend works as a lexicographer in a publishing house and often edits new terms.

• Лексикограф должен обладать глубокими знаниями в области лингвистики для точного описания слов.

  A lexicographer must have deep knowledge in linguistics to accurately describe words.

• В России многие словарные составители сотрудничают с академиями для обновления национальных словарей.

  In Russia, many lexicographers collaborate with academies to update national dictionaries.

• Известный лексикограф представил свою новую книгу на конференции по филологии.

  The renowned lexicographer presented his new book at a philology conference.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Лексикограф" is a masculine noun (from Greek origin) and follows standard Russian declension patterns for third-declension nouns. "Словарный составитель" is a phrase where "словарный" is an adjective and "составитель" is a masculine noun that declines regularly.

Note: These forms are regular, but "лексикограф" may not be used in plural as frequently due to its specialized nature.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • лексикографист (More emphatic, often used in historical contexts)
  • терминолог (Focuses on terminology, with subtle differences in scope)
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as this is a professional role rather than a quality.

Related Phrases:

• Лексикография как наука — Lexicography as a science (Refers to the study of dictionary-making.)
• Составление словарей — Compilation of dictionaries (Common in professional discussions.)
• Работа лексикографа — Work of a lexicographer (Used to describe daily tasks in the field.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лексикограф" is a direct borrowing and is preferred in formal, academic settings, while "словарный составитель" is more versatile for everyday or professional use. Always consider the context: use "лексикограф" when emphasizing the scholarly aspect, similar to how "lexicographer" is used in English. Be cautious with gender agreement, as both nouns are masculine and must align with adjectives or verbs. For learners, start with simple sentences before incorporating into complex structures.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "лексикограф" with "лексикология" (which means lexicology, the study of words and their histories).

  Correct: Use "лексикограф" for a person who compiles dictionaries. Example: Incorrect: "Он изучает лексикологию" (if meaning compiler); Correct: "Он — лексикограф". Explanation: These are related but distinct; "лексикология" is the theory, not the practice.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun properly in sentences, e.g., using nominative in all cases.

  Correct: In genitive contexts, say "работа лексикографа" instead of "работа лексикограф". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, lexicography has a rich history tied to national identity, as seen in the works of figures like Vladimir Dal, whose dictionary preserved Russian folklore and dialects. Using "лексикограф" can evoke respect for intellectual traditions, especially in educational contexts.

Related Concepts:

• Филология
• Лингвистика
• Терминология