Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1998

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

German

Major Professor

C.J. Mellor

Committee Members

Peter Hoyng, David Lee

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the four phases of work on the Deutsches Wörterbuch from Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. I trace the developments of the Deutsches Wörterbuch from its beginnings in 1852 until its completion in 1960 in the following major areas; 1) the lexicographical methodology or "purpose" of the various editors, 2) changes in article format, especially in the role of etymology in shaping the organization of presentation of definitions, 3) techniques of defining, and finally 4) the coverage of vocabulary types in each of these phases, especially the selection and treatment of loanwords and compound words. For each phase of work on the Deutsches Wörterbuch, I present the outlines of the dictionary and lexicographical method that typify that period. This study is therefore both synchronic and diachronic in nature. My analysis of the Deutsches Wörterbuch reveals that, after his death, many changes were made to Jacob Grimm's original conception of the dictionary. In the second phase of work on the dictionary, 1863-1908, changes were made concerning article format and techniques of defining. The third phase of the dictionary, 1908-1930, was a transitional phase in which little change occurred. However, in the fourth phase of the dictionary, 1930-1960, a major reformation of lexicographical practice occurred. There was a new Wortverständnis, the definition became the goal of the word description and an extreme historical approach was implemented in the word descriptions. In Phase Four, for the first time in the dictionary's history, there was a sharp break from Grimm's policies concerning the treatment of loanwords and compound words.

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