the best dictionaries

[Michael Adams]

Answers to "How do linguists and lexicographers know which is the BEST dictionary" are complicated, at least.  Theory, practice, and market all impinge on the answers.  The best answers evolve in discussion and argument, over time, and one can trace them in "Dictionaries:  Journal of the Dictionary Society of North America" and the "International Journal of Lexicography," as well as in articles and books written over the centuries.  Those interested should consider joining the Dictionary Society of North America and/or EURALEX.  Membership in the former is considerably less expensive than membership in the latter.

The question is an excellent one.  Perhaps the 2005 issue of "Dictionaries" should be devoted to answering it -- if anyone reading this list would like to write a sustained argument in response to the question, he or she should propose an article by 15 March 2004 to Michael Adams at MAdams1448 at aol.com.