The Vision and Scope of a Definitive Reference
The crowning publication project of the Kentucky Institute of Appalachian Linguistics is the creation of a comprehensive Dictionary of Kentucky Appalachian English (DKAE). This is not a glossary of quaint 'hillbilly' terms, but a serious, scholarly lexicographical work designed for a general audience. Its scope encompasses the full vocabulary of the region, from archaic words preserved from Early Modern English to specialized terms from mining, farming, and folk medicine, to modern slang and innovations. Each entry will provide not just a definition, but pronunciation (using both IPA and a simple respelling system), part of speech, etymological notes tracing the word's history into the mountains, illustrative quotations from our corpus of recorded speech, and notes on regional variation within Kentucky. The dictionary aims to be the definitive authority on the lexicon, serving as a resource for educators, writers, historians, and community members proud of their linguistic heritage.
Lexicographical Methodology and Community Involvement
Building the DKAE is a monumental task requiring rigorous methodology. Our team of lexicographers works from the massive digital corpus of the institute, using software to generate frequency lists and collocation data. However, the corpus is just the starting point. We employ a reading program, where volunteers scour regional literature, diaries, newspapers, and historical documents for written attestations of words. Most importantly, we rely on a network of community consultants—hundreds of native speakers across the state who review draft entries, suggest missing words, provide example sentences from their own lives, and help us understand fine shades of meaning and usage. This community-based approach ensures the dictionary is grounded in authentic use and reflects the language as it is actually spoken, not as outsiders imagine it.
Navigating Sensitive Issues: Slang, Stigma, and Slurs
Compiling a dictionary of a stigmatized dialect involves navigating sensitive terrain. We include slang and informal terms that are vital to the living language, but we label them clearly as such. We also must decide how to handle derogatory terms, whether those used by outsiders about Appalachians or terms used within the community. Our policy is one of full transparency with context. A derogatory term will be included if it is historically or socially significant, but it will carry a prominent usage label (e.g., offensive) and an explanatory note about its hurtful connotations. The goal is to document the language in all its complexity, not to sanitize it, while also providing the information readers need to use words appropriately and understand their social weight. This requires careful editorial judgment and ongoing consultation with our community advisory board.
Publication, Access, and Educational Integration
The DKAE will be published in multiple formats: a handsome print volume for libraries and homes, a fully searchable online database with audio pronunciations, and a mobile app for easy access in the field. The online version will be freely accessible to all Kentucky residents. A key component of the project is the creation of derivative educational materials: abridged school dictionaries for different grade levels, word-of-the-day calendars, and classroom activity packs. We envision the dictionary becoming a standard reference in Kentucky schools, not just for language arts but for social studies, helping students explore their history through words. By making this authoritative resource widely available, we aim to codify and celebrate the Appalachian lexicon, combating the idea that it is merely 'bad English' and instead presenting it as a legitimate, fascinating, and worthy subject of study in its own right.
- Entry components: Headword, pronunciation, variant forms, etymology, definition, dated quotations, usage notes.
- Special features: Maps showing word distribution, thematic word lists (e.g., 'coal mining words'), essays on cultural topics.
- Advisory structure: Editorial board of linguists, community review panels, teacher focus groups.
- Outreach plan: Launch events across the state, teacher workshops on using the dictionary, media campaign.
- Long-term vision: Regular updates and supplements, possible expansion to a multi-volume historical dictionary.
The Dictionary of Kentucky Appalachian English is more than a book; it is an act of cultural reclamation. It declares that the words of the mountains have meaning, history, and value, and it ensures they will have a permanent, respected place in the record of the American language.