English
Oxford English Dictionary (OED)
Countries to which the institution belongs |
United Kingdom |
Foundation Date |
1879 |
Type of institution |
Research department |
Parent body or organisation |
(University / Non profit organisation) Oxford University Press / Oxford University |
Language with which the institution is concerned |
The English language throughout the world |
Description of objectives, tasks and primary activities of the institution |
The OED is the dictionary of record for the English language. First published between 1884 and 1928, the dictionary is currently undergoing its first major revision and updating. The Second Edition (1989) is now available online by subscription, and the new Third Edition (2000-) is being published online in regular quarterly instalments. The OED maintains an international research programme which monitors English vocabulary and usage from the earliest times up to the present day. The work conducted by the department on the vocabulary and usage of English informs both the OED itself and the many other dictionaries in the Oxford family. Traditionally the English language in the United Kingdom has developed without state guidance or control, and as a result there is no official language institute or academy within the UK charged with language planning and related matters (nor any perceived requirement that one should exist). |
Responsible person |
Chief Editor: John Simpson (simpsonj@oup.co.uk) |
Number of staff |
65 |
Periodicals and serial publications |
Oxford English Dictionary (second edition, 1989; third edition in progress, 2000- online) Related publications by Oxford University Press include: New Oxford Dictionary of English, Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, Concise Oxford English Dictionary; Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, Oxford English Grammar, Oxford Guide to Style, Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors, Oxford Dictionary of Spelling; the International Journal of Lexicography; and many other dictionary and language texts. |
Address of the institution |
Postal address: |
Languages in which the organisation is able to communicate actively |
English |
Languages in which the institution is able to receive communications |
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, etc. |