Some lexicographers built on Johnson's scholarly work by covering grammar and lexicon in even more detail, going beyond the dictionary's narrow purpose. Additionally, lexicographers were more aware than grammarians of the need to adhere to norms and regulations, particularly with regard to language use in social contexts. In The New Spelling Dictionary (1765), for instance, John Entick makes the pledge to assist the reader in "pronouncing and writing the English tongue with ease and propriety" (1765: title page). His goal is for individuals "to speak and write correctly and properly, to be instructed in the rules for right pronunciation and in the art of true spelling; and/or how to write every word with proper letters," which he reiterates in the introduction
According to the title page of 1765, he wants "to assist young people, artisans, tradesmen, and foreigners, desirous to understand what they speak, read, and write." According to Entick, his grammatical introduction will help the user become more proficient in English and develop the linguistic and social skills he needs.
William Kenrick promises on the title page of his 1773 book A New Dictionary of the English Language that each entry will contain details on etymology, spelling, and idiomatic usage in writing—discussions that had previously been covered in seventeenth-century grammar manuals. Additionally, he will demonstrate how to pronounce words correctly in accordance with "present practice of polished speakers in the Metropolis," which provides another evidence of the heightened lexicographic emphasis on communication at that timeAdditionally, he provides what he terms a rhetorical grammar to aid in modern speaking and communication. Lexicographers had no idea that by adding grammar, they were taking the lead over grammarians in terms of language standardizationAs educators, grammarians focused on lesson plans and engaged in arguments about the best ways to educate, while lexicographers discreetly recorded and examined language use. To sum up, lexicographers assumed the role of language stewards. By the late 1700s, dictionaries had completely replaced grammar books as the source of authority. Grammar works fulfilled only an instructional role, while dictionaries became the authoritative sources on language.
The transfer of linguistic power was bound to spark controversy, as one might anticipate. Not only were word changes at issue in the conflicts, but also linguistic control, social class boundaries, and exclusionary groupings. Grammar manuals like Lily's [A Short Introduction of Grammar (1567)] used to have the authority to make such decisions. Dictionary use started to take over the language world as they gained popularity and expanded their reach.
They might represent language usage today and encode values. Dictionaries have the potential to standardize language, which would allow them to use their power—language.