DLSU-D professor Dr. Christian George Francisco recently completed the “COVID-ictionary,” a compilation of terms popularized during the COVID-19 global health pandemic.
The COVID-ictionary is a collaboration between Dr. Franciso and illustrator Sherwin Maestro. The book contains 150 entries having multiple definitions.
“I listen and read the news the whole time of pandemic since all of us are worried about the virus transmission. Then I got curious about terminologies used by IATF, DOH, and social media memes. Since I am a dictionary-maker, as my dissertation is also about print and broadcast dictionary, newly coined terms are gems for lexicographers,” Dr. Franciso said.
To craft his specialized dictionary, Dr. Franciso started collecting the technical and popularized terms during the pandemic and applied the process of making dictionaries.
“I also sought Sherwin Maestro's help in creating illustrations to make the dictionary more appealing,” he said.
The COVID-ictionary started as URO-funded research. Dr. Francisco later plans to publish it as a pictionary.
The COVID-ictionary was recently featured by PTV News. Watch the clip here.