
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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