Wiktionary

thumb|"Be your own lexicographer!", might be Wiktionary's motto. — Jill Lepore Wiktionary is a multilingual, web-based project with the goal of creating a free content dictionary of terms (including words, phrases, proverbs, gestures, etc.) in all natural languages and a number of the most widespread artificial languages. Quotes There's no show of hands at Wiktionary. There's not even an editorial staff. "Be your own lexicographer!", might be Wiktionary's motto. Who needs experts? Why pay good money for a dictionary written by lexicographers when we could cobble one together ourselves? Wiktionary isn't so much Republican or Democratic as it is Maoist. And it's only as good as the copyright-expired books from which it pilfers. Lepore, Jill (November 6, 2006). "Noah's Ark" (Abstract). The New Yorker. Retrieved April 21, 2007. Is there a place for Wiktionary? Undoubtedly. The industry and enthusiasm of its many creators are proof that there's a market. And it's wonderful to have another strong source to use when searching the odd terms that pop up in today's fast-changing world and the online environment. But as with so many Web sources (including this column), it's best used by sophisticated users in conjunction with more reputable sources. Keir Graff External links Category:Wikimedia projects