Official Swedish dictionary completed after 140 years (2023)
17 hours ago
- The Swedish Academy Dictionary (SAOB) was completed after 140 years, with the final volume sent to the printer.
- The dictionary contains 33,111 pages across 39 volumes and was started in 1883, involving 137 full-time employees over the years.
- Volumes A to R are outdated and need revision to include modern words such as 'allergy', 'Barbie doll', 'app', and 'computer'.
- The SAOB is a historical record of the Swedish language from 1521 to the present, available online with only about 200 printed copies used mainly by researchers.
- The Swedish Academy, founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, publishes the dictionary and also maintains a regular contemporary Swedish dictionary.