Book
Diccionari etimològic i complementari de la llengua catalana
📖 Overview
The Diccionari etimològic i complementari de la llengua catalana is a comprehensive etymological dictionary of the Catalan language, published in ten volumes between 1980-2001. Authored by renowned philologist Joan Corominas, it represents over 40 years of research and documentation.
Each entry traces the origins and evolution of Catalan words through detailed linguistic analysis and historical evidence. The dictionary includes comparisons with other Romance languages, documentation of first known uses, and explanations of semantic changes over time.
This work stands as a cornerstone reference for understanding the development and etymology of the Catalan language from its Latin roots through various historical influences. The dictionary's scope encompasses both common vocabulary and specialized terms, providing extensive cross-references and bibliographic citations.
The dictionary exemplifies the complex interplay between language, culture and history, revealing how words preserve the memory of a society's evolution. Its methodical approach to etymology demonstrates the systematic nature of language change while highlighting unique aspects of Catalan's development.
👀 Reviews
This scholarly dictionary has very limited online reader reviews due to its specialized academic nature and Catalan language focus. The few available reviews come from linguistics scholars and Catalan language researchers.
Readers appreciated:
- Detailed etymological analysis for each word
- Inclusion of dialectal variations
- Historical documentation and examples
- Cross-references between related terms
Common criticisms:
- High cost of the multi-volume set
- Some entries seen as overly lengthy
- Physical size makes it impractical for regular reference
- Limited accessibility for non-academic readers
No ratings or reviews found on Goodreads or Amazon. The work is primarily referenced and reviewed in academic journals and Catalan linguistics publications.
A linguistics professor noted in an academic forum: "The depth of research is unmatched, but the verbose style can make it challenging to quickly find specific information."
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🤔 Interesting facts
🔎 Published over 10 years (1980-1991), this massive etymological dictionary spans 9 volumes and contains over 9,000 pages
📚 Joan Corominas spent more than 30 years researching and writing this comprehensive work on Catalan etymology while living in exile in Argentina
🗣️ The dictionary traces words not only to their Latin roots but also explores influences from Arabic, Gothic, Celtic, and other languages that shaped Catalan
🌍 Considered the most extensive etymological study of any Romance language, it has become an essential reference work for linguists studying Indo-European languages
📖 Each entry provides detailed historical documentation, including the first known written appearance of words and their evolution through different time periods