Sir Walter Scott in Dictionaries: Invention and Artistry

Summary of the Talk: 

Prof. Jeremy J. Smith explores the influence of Sir Walter Scott's works on language, particularly through his contributions to dictionaries like the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and the Dictionary of the Scots Language (DSL).

1. Invention: The paper starts by discussing the concept of "invention" in literature, which has two meanings: the creation of new ideas or methods and the act of discovering or finding something. Prof. Smith relates this to Scott's writing, where his works exemplify both forms of invention: the creation of new expressions and the discovery or rediscovery of older words and traditions.
2. Scott’s Contributions to Dictionaries: Smith emphasizes Scott's significant role in expanding the English language through his works, noting that his writings contributed over 17,000 quotations to the OED and introduced hundreds of new words and senses. The paper details several words that Scott helped introduce or popularize, such as "bedazzled," "bibliomaniac," and "gastronome."
3. Scott's Use of Language: The lecture explores Scott's linguistic dexterity, which blends both Scottish and English lexicons, showcasing his mastery in coining words and adapting language for literary purposes. This lexical innovation is highlighted as a key aspect of his style.
4. The Role of Style: Smith delves into the concept of style in literature, discussing how writers like Scott use language in special ways to communicate not just ideas but the experience of life itself. He suggests that style is the writer’s choice from the available language, influenced by the social context, mode, and register. Scott’s style, with its intricate use of vocabulary and metaphors, is marked by a deliberate play with language to reflect the complexity of human experience.
5. Case Study: The Lay of the Last Minstrel: To demonstrate his points, Smith examines Scott's poem The Lay of the Last Minstrel. He discusses how Scott uses traditional forms like iambic tetrameter, while also infusing modern, political relevance. The poem reflects Scott’s ability to creatively revive and repurpose medieval traditions for contemporary uses.

Interesting Points:

• Lexical Innovation: Scott's influence on the English language is profound, as he introduced and popularized many words and expressions that are still in use today.
• Cultural Context: Smith highlights how Scott's use of language was deeply intertwined with both the Scottish and European Romantic traditions. His writings, including his work on historical texts and the reconstruction of Abbotsford, reveal a keen sense of historical engagement and linguistic revival.
• The Role of Style in Communication: Scott’s style is not just about using language to tell a story, but about using language to evoke and reflect complex experiences and ideas. His style shows how writers can shape and communicate culture through their choice of words.
• Romanticism and Language: The paper underscores how Scott, like many Romantic writers, was engaged in the process of resurrecting and reinterpreting the past, whether through literature, architecture, or language.

This paper sheds light on the intricate relationship between Scott's literary artistry and his contributions to the English language, underlining his dual role as both an inventor and a discoverer of language.