Full record for xenolinguist n.

Definition one who studies alien languages
OED requirements any evidence 1988
Earliest cite Sheila Finch, 'Berlitz in Outer Space: How Alien Communication Just Might Work'
Comment Irene Grumman submitted a 2002 cite from a reprint of Nancy Kress' 2000 "Probability Moon". Jeff Lassahn submitted a 1996 cite from Sheila Finch's "Reading the Bones". Jeff commented that this one of a series about the "Guild of Xenolinguists", and there there was an earlier story by Finch likely to contain a cite for this word. We then heard from Sheila herself, and she submitted a 1989 cite from her story "A World Waiting": in a later mailing, she submitted her a cite from her 1988 article "Berlitz in Outer Space: How Alien Communication Just Might Work." Douglas Winston submitted a cite from a 2007 reprint of R.M. Meluch's 2005 book, "Wolf Star".

We are also interested in further cites of any date from other authors.

Last modified 6 July, 2008