Dictionaries, perfect languages and the name of things

Authors

  • Francisco Javier Grande Alija Departamento de Filología Hispánica y Clásica, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Campus de Vegazana, Universidad de León, 24071, León

Abstract

First, we analyze the main characteristics of artifi cial philosophical languages and study Wilkins' Essay Towards a Real Character and a Philosophical Language, a paradigmatic example of those languages. Then, we deal with onomasiological Lexicography, with special reference to ideological dictionary. Finally, we consider the relations between these two intellectual traditions in order to emphasize that the classifi cation of knowledge, in accordance with a hierarchical Aristotelian model, is of importance for both.    

Keywords:

artifi cial philosophical languages, classifi cation of knowledge, onomasiological lexicography, ideological dictionary