Universal dictionary

The term universal lexicon has been used by a number of very different real dictionaries since the 17th century . The scale ranges from the 64-volume Zedler of the 18th century to the 26-volume Pierer of the 19th to the one-volume Bertelsmann universal dictionary of the 20th century. In addition, other real dictionaries were created during this time, which, although not entitled Universal Lexicon , share the intention of conveying information on all areas of knowledge . However, the depth of the display varies greatly from one another.

The extensive works of the 18th and 19th centuries, which were referred to as universal lexicon, had the same comprehensive claim as the works that were entitled Encyclopedia . Since the encyclopedias developed from the systematic representation to the dictionary representation , following the example of the encyclopédie , they entered into competition with the universal lexicons. The higher image of the encyclopedia asserted itself in the course of the 19th century and only left the short form for the universal dictionary.

The conversation lexicon also developed into a universal lexicon in the 19th century. This type also fell victim to the higher image of the encyclopedia and was completely abandoned in the 20th century.

In contrast to the conversation lexicon aimed at the interested but not specially educated reader, the universal lexicon originally wanted to address the learned layman, introducing him to disciplines in which he is not an expert.

The universal lexicons can also include works that do not cover all of the knowledge, but clearly stand out from the special lexicons (see specialist lexicon ) by taking into account many and different subject areas.

Examples

• Johann Jakob Hofmann (1635–1706): Lexicon Universale.
• General Lexicon of Arts and Sciences . 1721
• Large complete universal lexicon of all sciences and arts . 1731–1754 (also called "Zedlersches Lexikon" and "Lexicon Universale Zedlerianum")
• Universal lexicon of the present and the past . 1824-1836
• The new Herder: from A to Z. 2 volumes. Herder, Freiburg i.Br. 1949.
• Lexicon AZ in one volume. Bibliographisches Institut und Verlag Enzyklopädie , Leipzig 1953.
• Meyer's Universal Lexicon. 4 volumes. Bibliographisches Institut, Leipzig 1978–1980 (short edition of Meyer's New Lexicon in 15 volumes, Leipzig 1971–1977).
• Bertelsmann Universal Lexicon. Bertelsmann, Gütersloh 1998.

See also

• List of universal encyclopedias

literature

• Bernhard Kossmann: German universal lexica of the 18th century. Their nature and their informational value, illustrated using the example of Jablonski and Zedler. In: Börsenblatt for the German book trade, Frankfurt edition. No. 89, November 5, 1968, pp. 2947-2968.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Bernhard Kossmann: German Universal Lexica of the 18th Century. Their nature and their informational value, illustrated using the example of Jablonski and Zedler. 1968, p. 2958.
2. ↑ http://www.uni-mannheim.de/mateo/camenaref/hofmann.html