Published below is the official response of Oxford University Press to Anita Roy's column Deleting a world view
A spokesperson for Oxford University Press said:
“Our children’s dictionaries provide a vital tool for helping children to improve their literacy skills and develop a passion for language.
“In the last 40 years our range of children’s dictionaries has increased from two to 17, and as such the total number of words – including those about nature - has significantly increased across the range.
“The last change to the content of the Oxford Junior Dictionary was in 2008, and it still includes a large numbers of words focusing on the natural world.
“Our dictionaries are developed through a rigorous research programme, analysing how children are currently using language. They also reflect the language that children are encouraged to use in the classroom, as required by the national curriculum. This ensures they remain relevant and beneficial for children’s education.”