Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

The Work

A career as a lexicographer is for those with a keen interest in language and the words we use, and how the meaning of words develops and changes over time.

Lexicographers write, compile and edit dictionaries for both and online and printed publication. Employment may be found found with publishing companies producing dictionaries and related resources. Many lexicographers tend to work on a freelance basis.

In Ireland, lexicography and terminology are the legislative responsibility of Foras na Gaeilge, who have a particular role in respect of comprehensive and modern dictionaries which facilitate and consolidate the use of the language in all areas of contemporary life.

The work of a lexicographer involves searching specialist databases containing numerous pieces of language from a range of sources, including literature, newspapers, online journals, blogs, discussion groups and transcripts of television and radio (known as the 'corpus'), for evidence of meanings and usages of a word or phrase.

This evidence, together with your own judgement and experience, is then used to reassess existing dictionary entries and identify possible new entries and consider them for inclusion.

A bilingual lexicographer translates words and expressions in both directions e.g. English/Irish and Irish/English,.

Most dictionaries are now also available online, as well as in print format. The role of the lexicographer is evolving to suit this change. 

Lexicographers typically work on one of the following types of dictionary:

A dictionary for native speakers of e.g. English; Irish

A dictionary for learners of the language e.g. English; Irish

A Technical/specialist dictionary, e.g. law, medicine

A Bilingual dictionary, e.g. English/Irish or Irish/English, for native speakers or those learning the language.

Tasks & responsibilities

• Research towards identifying new words in common usage for inclusion in the dictionary.
• Formulate new entries with accurate and succinct definitions.
• Accurately represent the range of meanings of new and existing words.
• Identify and assess the primary (most used) and secondary (less commonly used) meanings of the word
• Review and edit all existing definitions.
• Check and proofread entries.
• Ensure that style and format of words meets agreed protocols.

The modern lexicographer may also be involved in creating and sourcing add-on material, or in online social media marketing of the product, and is likely to be called a 'dictionary editor'. A Dictionary Editor of an online dictionary resource may be required to:

• Organise dictionary updates.
• Coordinating the work of freelancer contributors.
• Create / source add-on materials i.e. blogs, videos, word games, thesauruses.
• Market the dictionary and associated resources.
• Be involved in web design and SEO (search-engine optimisation) to ensure that web traffic grows, increasing user engagement with the resource.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
• Present drafts and ideas to clients.
• Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
• Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
• Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
• Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
• Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.
• Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
• Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
• Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

A degree in a relevant language is typically required for a career in lexicography. A second language is essential for working as a bilingual lexicographer.

Other relevant degree subjects include classics, literature, history/politics, linguistics and modern languages.

Training & Development

Higher Education CAO Entry: classics, literature, history/politics, linguistics and modern languages NFQ Level 8 Search CAO courses

Experience in teaching or translation work is valuable. A qualification and experience in teaching is useful for work on learners' dictionaries. Experience in a related area such as editing or proofreading is also valuable. It may also be useful to have a Masters degree. Work experience with a publishing house for example, is a good starting point.

Postgraduate study options: language, linguistics, Localization or translation NFQ level 9-10.   

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €65k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Morgan McKinley/ CPL/ Talent.com/ Prosperity.ie

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Foras na Gaeilge

  • 01 639 8400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here