"esquivalience" is out

[Baker, John]

        Cartographers' need for deliberate errors is obvious, but do
lexicographers need them?  I believe the suggestion was made on ADS-L
some time ago that there are enough unintentional errors in dictionaries
to obviate the need to introduce intentional ones.  Also, at least some
of the material in a dictionary is sufficiently distinctive that it
should not be too hard to show copying.  If, for example, a dictionary
defines "network" as "anything reticulated or decussated at equal
distances with interstices between the intersections," I think the
lexicographer in question would be hard put to show that the definition
was not copied from Dr. Johnson's Dictionary.

        With respect to Shakespeare, although he used source materials
liberally, I can't think of any cases where his actions would be
considered plagiarism today.  Generally his sources were in the public
domain (e.g., Plautus's Menaechmi, a source for The Comedy of Errors),
he substantially adapted his materials in a non-infringing manner (e.g.,
his use of Holinshed's Chronicles for the history plays), or his use
would be considered fair use (e.g., his quotation from Marlowe in
Hamlet).

John Baker


-----Original Message-----
From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf
Of Thomas Paikeday
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 11:22 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: "esquivalience" is out


I agree about cartography and the laws of chocolate. But what's good for
cartography and chocolate may not be good for lexicography, linguistics,
and other sciences in which truth is the main goal of one's endeavour.
The end doesn't always justify the means.

Also, what was considered OK during one age of civilization or in one
culture may not be OK in another. Shakespeare, for example, got away
with plagiarism  before the development of "intellectual property"
rights.

By the way, it's interesting how one discussion quickly leads to another
and little-known facts from other branches of knowledge are highlighted.
So I was interested to hear about map-making practices, old and new.
THANK YOU LARRY. Shakespeare scholars, please correct me if what I said
above is wrong.

T.M.P.
www.paikeday.net