Le discours préfaciel au XVIIIe siècle à travers le Dictionnaire de l'Académie (1718) et le Dictionnaire de Trévoux (1721). Essai de classification

Abstract

© John Benjamins Publishing Company.The 18th century was a very productive period from a lexicographic point of view. In that century, the French Academy published four new editions of their dictionary, being the second edition (1718) the one that included major revisions (1718). The Dictionnaire de Trévoux (1721) is also considered to be one of the pillars of 18th century lexicography in France, with eight published editions. The comparison of the prefaces of these two major pieces of French lexicography, in spite of their different conceptions, will allow us to establish the big strategical lines that have marked French Lexicography during the first part of the 18th century, as well as presenting how two of the most important dictionaries of the French 18th century are organized.