Lexicographer : Entry requirements

Although lexicography is open to all graduates with a good honours degree, the following subjects may increase your chances:

• English;
• modern languages;
• linguistics;
• history/politics;
• classics.

A degree in foreign or classical languages or linguistics may increase your chances of employment as a bilingual lexicographer.

Entry without a degree or with an HND only is unlikely.

Postgraduate study is not essential, although it is possible to undertake a research degree in lexicography (MPhil or PhD) through the Dictionary Research Centre  at the University of Birmingham. A Masters degree in language, linguistics or translation may be advantageous for aspiring bilingual lexicographers. Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) qualifications and experience is very likely to be a requirement for English teaching titles.

Experience of proofreading or checking text could be advantageous. This can be demonstrated through previous involvement in writing for or editing a university newspaper or work experience in publishing.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• an excellent command of English (and, for bilingual lexicographers, a strong working knowledge of the relevant foreign language, along with an awareness of and sensitivity to the problems of translation);
• a practical understanding of the mechanics of grammar and the ability to use grammar correctly and identify instances of incorrect usage;
• the ability to describe a complex thing in a few words (and, for English language lexicographers, the ability to recognise subtle differences between meanings, an appreciation of how English is used in other English-speaking countries and an appreciation of the difficulties of learning English);
• an excellent eye for detail, both for spotting errors and for identifying inconsistencies of presentation style;
• flair and imagination - lexicography is not merely a mechanical process and you must be able to strike the right balance between explanation and concision;
• the ability to learn and work within the publisher’s house style;
• teamworking and communication skills - although you need to be able to concentrate and work well on your own, lexicography is an essentially collaborative process, and you exchange ideas and discuss problems continually with other editors, both formally and informally;
• effective time management and organisational skills;
• the ability to work rapidly and logically with complex information, concentrating for long periods whilst maintaining accuracy;
• an aptitude for using and learning IT, in particular the ability to learn how to use specialist database software for research purposes, and creativity in developing search strings;
• an awareness of emerging new technologies and how they can support the dictionary, e.g. online dictionaries, CD-ROMs, e-books, etc.

Some familiarity with older forms of English is useful for working on a historical dictionary.

As with most jobs in publishing, there are many more applicants than places, and the number of places is limited by the fact that there are only a few publishers who produce dictionaries. 

As the profession is so small, networking is a very common method of job seeking. It may be possible to undertake a period of work shadowing with a publisher to get a feel for the role and to make contacts within the profession. Alternatively, it you may be able to gain work in a related role, e.g. editorial assistant, and then move in to this role as you gain publishing experience. Candidates who show aptitude for the work and a good attitude might be offered further opportunities as they arise.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.