Lexicography
Theoretical Lexicography analyzes and describes the semantic, syntagmatic and paradigmatic relationships within the lexicon of a language. In other words, Theoretical Lexicography looks at what words are, what they mean, how the vocabulary of a language is structured, how speakers of the language use and understand the words, how the words evolved, and what relationships exist between words.
Derived from this is Practical Lexicography which is the art of compiling, writing and editing dictionaries.
A lexicographer is a linguist whose specific expertise is in writing dictionaries. In fact, in addition to providing data on the morphology and semantics of a lexeme, the dictionary also provides structural information regarding the root of the word, and historical information regarding the evolution of the word into its modern-day form. This is known as etymology.
The International Journal of Lexicography
The International Journal of Lexicography was launched in 1988. Interdisciplinary as well as international, it is concerned with all aspects of lexicography, including issues of design, compilation and use, and with dictionaries of all languages, though the chief focus is on dictionaries of the major European languages - monolingual and bilingual, synchronic and diachronic, pedagogical and encyclopedic. The Journal recognizes the vital role of lexicographical theory and research, and of developments in related fields such as computational linguistics, and welcomes contributions in these areas. IJL will include a regular feature on some practical aspect of dictionary-making and will publish, also on a regular basis, reviews of dictionaries and books reflecting the full range of the Journal's interests.
