Lexicographer - ODAAE

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Advancing Knowledge and Learning

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Oxford Dictionary of African American English (ODAAE) is a landmark scholarly initiative documenting the lexicon of African American English (AAE) in a dictionary based on historical principles. The ODAAE is being compiled and edited by a team of researchers, lexicographers, and editors sponsored and led by the OED and Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. The joint team applies the depth and rigor of the OED’s historical methodology specifically to the study of AAE in order to create a dictionary to further illuminate the history, meaning, and significance of this body of language.

As an ODAAE lexicographer, you are responsible for drafting and editing dictionary entries for African American English words and senses for publication in ODAAE. You also contribute to the development and refinement of a lexicographical model for the ODAAE which effectively describes and communicates the history and development of African American English.

Key accountabilities include:

• Research the history and usage of African American English words through primary textual evidence, using electronic databases, dictionaries, lexical corpora, large language models, and other sources. Draft dictionary entries (or parts of entries) to explain the meanings, origins, and history of African American English words and senses, to a standard agreed by trainer or supervisor and commensurate with experience.
• Review the work of other editors, helping to ensure that the editorial text produced by them is complete, correct, and written in accordance with ODAAE house style.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of a lexicographical model for the ODAAE which will effectively describe and communicate the history and development of African American English.
• Undertake work, as required, to promote and publicize ODAAE, such as writing release notes, contributing to blogs or other public relations, participating in academic research or conferences, etc.
• Take editorial and other decisions appropriate to this role, in line with the strategic priorities and mission of ODAAE.
• Collaborate with ODAAE, Harvard, and Oxford colleagues as required, and contribute to building a collaborative, experimental, and inclusive culture among ODAAE staff and stakeholders.
• Entries are drafted or edited to the standard agreed by trainer or supervisor and commensurate with experience. 
• The work of other editors is reviewed carefully and feedback communicated constructively, respectfully, and effectively.
• Contributions are made to the development and refinement of the ODAAE’s lexicographical model.
• Publicity work is carried out as required.
• Relationships with ODAAE, Harvard, and Oxford colleagues are collaborative and respectful.

ABOUT YOU

• Good knowledge or experience of African American English
• Good knowledge of African American literature and culture
• Good knowledge of Standard American English, including syntax, grammar, etc.
• Experience using various resources to investigate or research a topic
• Academic or practical knowledge of the history and theory of variation in English preferred
• Knowledge of other American varieties of English, especially those spoken in the American South preferred
• Knowledge of languages that have influenced the development of African American English (e.g., Gullah, African and Caribbean languages, including pidgins and creoles) preferred
• Good knowledge of the linguistic features (lexis, syntax, grammar, pronunciation, etc.), history, and sociolinguistics of African American English preferred

BENEFITS  

We care about work/life balance at OUP. We offer 15 days of vacation time that rises with service, 8 sick days, plus floating holidays, personal days, company holidays, and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect of working hours and the use of technology to support regular remote working, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies. 

We care for you and your dependents by offering health, dental, and vision insurance plans to our full-time employees. Each plan has multiple levels of coverage to fit your needs and has a high level of contribution made by OUP. In addition, we offer Employee Assistant Programs for all full-time employees, regardless of whether you elect in health insurance. We also offer life insurance and disability insurance. 

We help make your money go further by providing a non-elective contribution on your behalf to your retirement plan of 7% of your salary and a matching contribution to the retirement plan of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions on based earnings.

This is a fixed term role, ending March 31, 2026, with possibility of renewal.

Position Location: This role can be remote in the United States. 

GJC Level: I4 (for internal purposes only) 

Salary: $56,537 - $60,000 dependent on skills and experience