ensive lexicon by including pronunciation and grammar rules (Webster, Noah Encarta). The result of this compilation was the first attempt to describe how the American English dialect was spoken, and was more comprehensive than any dictionary that had come before it, American or British. It was unique in that it attempted to describe actual usage of words and syntax, rather than trying to dictate how the language should be spoken. Finally, it served to standardize spelling throughout the new nation with a distinctive American twist. Without the contributions of Noah Webster, the American language might look very different than it does today. ...
