Præskription og deskription i nyere færøsk leksikografi

Resumé

The present paper deals with the particular Faroese problem of a significant lexical
difference between the codified written language and oral language based upon
writing on the one hand and neutral speech on the other. The difference between
these two types of Faroese is described. With examples from four dictionaries
published in the period 1992 to 1998 it is being demonstrated how Faroese purist
lexicography describes the language by excluding frequent words, including
neologisms etc.
Further, the problems of permanent Faroese-Danish language contact are described
briefly and the special lexicographical problems arising form the constant
interaction between Danish and Faroese are being touched upon. The consequences
of the purist lexicographical approach are briefly dealt with.