Saving Canadian lexicography, with John Chew

Saving Canadian lexicography, with John Chew

From Grammar Girl by QuickAndDirtyTips.com

July 9, 2026 · 37 min · Episode 1201

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges of creating a Canadian dictionary and features John Chew's insights on lexicography and aphantasia.

1201. In this bonus discussion from January, we look at why Canada has been without a current homegrown dictionary for twenty years and how John Chew is leading the charge to fix it. We look at how John got the job and the unique challenges of funding a dictionary in a bilingual country. John also shares how his aphantasia — the inability to visualize imagery — actually makes him a better data organizer for the complex world of lexicography.  🔗  Join the Grammar Girl Patreon. 🔗  Share your familect recording in   Speakpipe  or by leaving a voicemail at 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) 🔗  Watch my   LinkedIn Learning writing courses . 🔗  Subscribe to the   newsletter . 🔗  Find an edited   transcript . 🔗  Get   Grammar Girl books . | HOST: Mignon Fogarty | Grammar Girl is part of  the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network . Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend Director of Podcast: Holly Hutchings Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes, Rebekah Sebastian Podcast Associate: Maram Elnagheeb | Theme music by  Catherine Rannus . | Grammar Girl Social Media:  YouTube…

People in this episode

Host: Mignon Fogarty

Guest: John Chew

Topics covered

  • Canadian lexicography
  • dictionary funding
  • bilingual challenges
  • aphantasia
  • data organization

Keywords

  • Canadian dictionary
  • lexicography
  • aphantasia
  • funding challenges
  • bilingual country

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: QuickAndDirtyTips.com, Grammar Girl, LinkedIn Learning, Acast

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