Shared language helps to define a community. There is no better way to promote transparency than an understanding of that common language. But language is fluid. Archivists and other information professionals come from different perspectives, institutions, training, and cultural backgrounds all of which contributes to our understanding of our profession’s lexicography (words).
The forthcoming Dictionary of Archives Terminology builds on the Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology (SAA, 2005) with hundreds of new and revised entries. SAA’s Dictionary Working Group has been building the dictionary behind-the-scenes using the same software as used by the OED. To see words as they are being defined, or redefined, sign up for the Word of the Week.
