Teaching and Lexicographical Beginnings
After completing his studies, Hayim began teaching English at the American College. At that time, few Iranians had deep command of English, and bilingual resources were scarce or outdated. While teaching, Hayim became acutely aware of the deficiencies in available English-Persian dictionaries. Inspired by this gap, he began compiling vocabulary lists and constructing a small dictionary to aid his students—a project that would eventually grow into his monumental lexicographical works.
Hayim’s initiative soon caught the attention of Iran’s Minister of Culture at the time, Ali Asghar Hekmat. Recognizing the potential of Hayim’s work, Hekmat offered his support for the publication of the dictionary. However, due to Hekmat’s departure from office, the publication process was delayed. Still, Hayim persisted, working under difficult circumstances while juggling professional responsibilities.
Public Service and First Publications
In 1922, as the Iranian government began collaborating more closely with foreign advisors—including the influential American financial advisor Arthur Millspaugh—Hayim was employed as a translator at the Ministry of Finance. This role proved pivotal: it not only placed Hayim in direct contact with specialized governmental terminology but also provided him with access to official documents, administrative jargon, and technical vocabulary in both English and Persian.
