description Alexander MacBain Overview
Alexander MacBain was a 19th-century Scottish Gaelic lexicographer who created an exhaustive etymological dictionary. His *An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language*, published in 1896, remains a vital resource for scholars studying Celtic languages and particularly historical Scottish Gaelic. It’s invaluable for those researching the origins and development of Gaelic vocabulary and is primarily used by linguists, historians, and researchers specializing in Celtic studies.
insights Ranking position
Alexander MacBain ranks #93 of 313 in the Lexicographer ranking, behind Johann Christoph Adelung, ahead of Sergei Ozhegov.
help Alexander MacBain FAQ
What is Alexander MacBain best known for?
MacBain is best known for An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, first published in 1896. It systematically traces Scottish Gaelic words through Celtic and Indo-European relationships.
Is MacBain's Gaelic dictionary still useful?
Yes, particularly for historical research and for consulting older Gaelic forms and proposed roots. Some etymologies have been revised by later Celtic scholarship, so modern researchers often compare it with newer dictionaries.
Did Alexander MacBain write about Celtic mythology as well as language?
Yes. In addition to lexicography, he wrote on Celtic mythology, religion, history, and Highland traditions. His work helped establish Celtic studies as a more systematic field in Scotland.
Where did Alexander MacBain work?
MacBain spent much of his career at Raining's School in Inverness, eventually serving as rector. Inverness placed him close to the Scottish Gaelic-speaking Highlands that formed the focus of his scholarship.
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