Oxford Dictionary goes desi, adds Aadhaar, shaadi to list

The 10th edition of the dictionary, which was launched on Friday, has 384 Indian English words and incorporates over 1,000 new words such as chatbot, fake news and microplastic. The dictionary focuses on language change and its evolution through the years, and has ensured that the language and examples used in the new edition are relevant and up to date with the times, Oxford University Press (OUP) said.

The new edition comes with interactive online support through the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries website and an app. Thewebsite includes advanced features such as audio-video tutorials, video walkthroughs, self-study activities and enhanced iWriter andiSpeaker tools.

“This edition has 26 new Indian English words of which 22 figure in the printed dictionary. The other four are in the digital version,” said Fathima Dada, Managing Director (Education Division) at OUP.’ According to OUP, the new edition provides better, more accurate and understandable definitions with examples, usage notes and additional resources to help thelearner use the right word in the right context. “Prevalence and common usage are the main criteria for enlisting new words. We scan the globe for words which are often used by people while speakingEnglish. Then these words go through a rigorous testingprocess,” Dada said.

“As OUP is the custodian of English language globally, these words have to go through its processes,” she said. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, she said, has been reinventing itself for nearly eight decades, anticipating the growing learning requirements of learners. “The 10th edition also is equipped with a strong digital support system, including an app,” she said.