This paper is the attempt to combine the fascinating fields of cultural studies and linguistics with the following question in mind: How do contemporary monolingual English dictionaries deal with and define terms such as colony, colonialism, empire and imperialism? – concepts that we inevitably associate with the British Empire.
Thousands of books and articles have been written on Britain’s colonial past. Therefore, it is not my design to discover something unexplored or to present new theories but to scrutinise the way lexicographers handle ‘imperial’ vocabulary. To this end, a number of dictionary entries had been analysed for their wording and accessibility. It should be noted that this paper was written on the basis of predominantly general, non-technical references, hoping to make different lines of thinking easier.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The calm before the storm
3. What is an empire
4. The colony
5. Colonialism
From colonialism to imperialism
6. Concluding remarks
7. Bibliography
Research Objective and Scope
This academic paper explores the intersection of cultural studies and linguistics by examining how contemporary monolingual English dictionaries define and frame the concepts of colony, colonialism, empire, and imperialism, which are fundamentally linked to the historical British Empire.
- Lexicographical analysis of imperial terminology
- Etymological examination of political and colonial concepts
- Critique of dictionary definitions regarding accuracy and bias
- The historical and ideological evolution from colonialism to imperialism
- The long-term sociopolitical impact of colonial legacies
Excerpt from the Book
3. What is an empire
In the above-mentioned quotation from 1582, Mulcaster already makes use of the term ‘empire’. In those days, the word had been in existence for slightly more than three centuries. Etymologically, the term empire derives from Latin imperium and is related to the verb imperare which means to command (COD). It has entered the English language via Old French in 1200-1300. Today the word empire is also used in other walks of life: we speak of a publishing empire, a media empire, or a business empire. Now some definitions from various kinds of (non-technical) dictionaries will be scrutinized, starting with the more general and concluding with the more detailed explanation.
The shortest and simplest definition can be found in the BBC English Dictionary: (1) ‘An empire is a group of countries controlled by one country. … the Roman Empire’. According to this concise description, a chart would look like as fallows (c stands for country).
In this definition, country, group and control are the keywords: One country has control over a group of countries. It is important to emphasise that we must speak of countries, not of regions, areas or territories. Take, for example, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands. Politically, but not geographically, they belong to the Kingdom of Denmark. So, in a way, Denmark controls these islands. Bud nobody would call Denmark an empire – for the simple reason that Greenland (once a Norwegian colony) and the Faeroes are no countries although they both have their own government. We can conclude that one country alone is no empire, no matter how large its territory is. Russia, for example, is no empire – despite its vastness.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author introduces the interdisciplinary approach of using lexicographical analysis to investigate the linguistic and cultural foundations of terms associated with the British Empire.
2. The calm before the storm: This chapter provides a historical retrospective on the pre-imperial English state, questioning how the transition to a global superpower was perceived from a historical vantage point.
3. What is an empire: The chapter scrutinizes various dictionary definitions of 'empire', highlighting the reliance on keywords like 'control' and 'territory' and critiquing the inherent limitations of these definitions.
4. The colony: The author examines the etymology and semantic definitions of 'colony', arguing that the term's nuance involves power dynamics and the subjugation of distant territories.
5. Colonialism: This chapter explores the concept of colonialism as an active, systematic process of political and economic exploitation, noting its complex and often negative legacy.
From colonialism to imperialism: A sub-section discussing the transition of colonial policy into imperial systems, characterizing the latter as an organized method of expansion.
6. Concluding remarks: The author synthesizes the findings, illustrating the cyclical relationship between empire, colony, colonialism, and imperialism while reflecting on contemporary Western influence.
7. Bibliography: A comprehensive list of the dictionary sources and academic literature referenced throughout the study.
Keywords
British Empire, Lexicography, Dictionary Definitions, Colonialism, Imperialism, Empire, Colony, Cultural Studies, Linguistics, Etymology, Global History, Political Control, Economic Exploitation, Western Influence, Territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines how contemporary monolingual English dictionaries define terminology related to the British Empire and how these definitions reflect historical and cultural understandings of imperial power.
What are the central thematic fields?
The work combines linguistics and cultural studies to analyze the evolution and political implications of the terms empire, colony, colonialism, and imperialism.
What is the main research question?
The author aims to investigate how dictionaries handle and define 'imperial' vocabulary and whether these definitions adequately capture the complexity of the concepts involved.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The study employs a comparative analysis of dictionary entries from diverse non-technical sources to deconstruct the semantic and ideological framing of imperial concepts.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The body analyzes the etymology and definition of each term, discusses the relationship between governing powers and dependent territories, and illustrates the link between these concepts through theoretical diagrams.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The key concepts include the British Empire, lexicographical analysis, colonial history, political power dynamics, and the linguistic framing of imperialism.
Why does the author differentiate between 'static' and 'active' concepts?
The author argues that 'empire' and 'colony' are treated as static conditions, whereas 'colonialism' and 'imperialism' describe active, systematic processes of control and exploitation.
How does the author interpret the term 'colony'?
Beyond simple dictionary definitions, the author notes that a colony historically requires the movement of people from a mother country to a distant territory, often involving the exertion of political influence over public life.
- Quote paper
- Steffen Laaß (Author), 2003, The British Empire through the eyes of lexicography, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/114247
