Friday marks a fresh update of The Danish Dictionary, where 592 new and current language usage examples have been added. This is part of a comprehensive process where the Danish Language and Literature Society has cleaned out outdated word descriptions and removed examples that could be perceived as offensive. “Language changes a lot, and we need to be attentive to keep up and not just acquire new words. It is also important to look at existing words and get them updated,” says Lars Trap-Jensen, one of the editors behind the dictionary.
Often, it is the new words that steal the spotlight, but this year, the editorial team behind the dictionary has had a special focus on the language usage examples that help users gain a better understanding. “We have both added fresh and current language usage examples and replaced them, if there was something that could be offensive to someone,” adds Lars Trap-Jensen.
The example “med piber og trommer” (with pipes and drums) has been updated; previously it read “with pipes and drums he left the Danish People’s Party parliamentary group last Tuesday.” From Friday, it instead reads “soon my neighbor will be a retiree, it should be celebrated with pipes and drums.”
Another focus area has been the description of existing words. “The meanings of words also change, so we have been in and revised a number of existing words and either added a new meaning or changed the existing one,” explains Lars Trap-Jensen.
In total, 130 words have had their meanings changed, while 82 new meanings have been added. For example, the meaning of the word “skruk” has been updated from “eager to get pregnant and have a child – about a woman” to “eager to have a child.”
The Danish Dictionary is normally updated twice a year, and this time, 931 changes have been made. 41 fixed expressions have been added, and 11 new words have found their way into the dictionary. Among the new words are meta, abdication, party tent, unstable, and gender affirming.