N.Z. language in new Oxford dictionary

Press, 25 February 1986, Page 6

N.Z. language in new Oxford dictionary

A new reference source for students of New Zealand words will be released in April.

“The New Zealand Pocket Oxford Dictionary” is seen by its local distributors as “the first dictionary which expresses in its local setting the distinctive language of New Zealanders.”

The dictionary’s editor, Dr Robert Burchfield, grew up in Wanganui, but has been in charge of the dictionary department of Oxford University Press for almost 30 years. The dictionary includes almost 1500 words new to previous “Pocket Oxfords.” Many are Maori words and Dr Burchfield hopes the new work will be seen as a bold move in the direction of multi-cul-turalism.

Other inclusions are replacements for British words, and the dictionary reflects the distinctive words and terms that have developed in New Zealand around farming, rugby, and racing, Dr Burchfield said.

Some colonial terms have been deleted because they are no longer in use and the dictionary often does not distinguish between the Australian or New Zealand origins of a word, he said.

Dr Burchfield’s work on the “Oxford English Dictionary" will end in May,, when the fourth and final “Supplements” volume is published. After that, his dictionary work will be confined to monitoring the progress of the “New Zealand Pocket Oxford.” Dr Burchfield will also turn his attention to English grammar, including a new book to replace Fowler’s “Modern English Usage.”