Anthropology of Didactic Lexicography, Review: Elena Pérez Bajo’s Postulates. Text: Dictionaries. Introduction to Spanish Lexicography (2010)

Abstract

In this essay, we reflect on the philosophical postulates of the book "Dictionaries. Introduction to the lexicography of Spanish" by the author Elena Bajo Pérez. This work is considered an introduction to the world of dictionaries and their relevance in the lexicography of the Spanish language. Throughout the text, different aspects related to lexicography, the evolution of dictionaries and their importance in learning Spanish will be examined, which is an essential introduction to the study of dictionaries and lexicography. In this book, the author establishes the theoretical and methodological bases necessary to understand the functioning and importance of dictionaries. The author begins by explaining that dictionaries are fundamental linguistic tools that allow us to access the knowledge and meaning of words. In addition to their reference function, dictionaries also play a crucial role in language development, as they are a source of learning and guidance for speakers. The author shows how dictionaries have evolved over time, from their first rudimentary forms to the most sophisticated modern editions. The importance of the criteria for selecting and organizing words in dictionaries is highlighted, as well as the different lexicographic approaches used to address and present the information. In general terms, here the focus is on the structure of dictionaries and the different ways in which words are organized and presented in them. You may also discuss the criteria and principles used to select and define lexicographic entries, as well as the types of information included in dictionaries.