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What kind of foreign language dictionary
should I buy?
Lonna J. Dickerson, Ph.D.
For most second language learners,
published dictionaries are valuable learning tools. As noted
in the chart below, each type serves a somewhat different function.
For languages such as Spanish, French and German, you can find
dozens of dictionaries to choose from. However, for most languages
you will find only some of the types listed below.
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Dictionary
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Learner Level
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Comments
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useful for adults
and children, piture dictionaries can give you a head start
in collecting high-frequency vocabulary grouped into categories |
monolingual picture
dictionary |
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novice, intermediate |
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bilingual picture
dictionary |
|
novice, intermediate |
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|
|
|
|
|
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learner's bilingual
dictionary |
|
novice, intermediate, advanced |
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entries usually limited to
the more common words; gives definitions in easy-to-understand
language; may include example sentences, grammar and pronunciation
information |
| |
|
|
|
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standard bilingual
dicationary |
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all levels |
|
may have same features as
the learner's bilingual dictionary, but usually has more entries
and uses more complex language in definitions |
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|
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learner's pocket
dicationary |
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all levels |
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small number of entries; less
information per entry; often includes only most common definitions;
may also contain useful phrases |
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|
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|
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monolingual learner's
dictionary |
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advanced,
superior |
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can be especially useful as
you move toward using a monolingual dictionary for native
speakers |
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|
|
|
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monolingual dictionary
for native speakers |
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advanced,
superior |
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often more complete than dictionaries
for second language learners, but may omit some of the useful
features found in learner's dictionaries |
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bilingual dictionaries
on
CD-ROM |
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all levels |
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particularly useful if you
need to hear the pronunciation, but not as versatile as a
book; may contain practice exercises, small bilingual dictionaries
often included with CD-ROM language learning program |
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|
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| on-line dictionaries |
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all levels |
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many give only a few words
or phrases; others are more extensive |
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Advice for selecting a dictionary
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Check to see that the dictionary is for the appropriate dialect
of your target language.
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Check to see that the dictionary focuses on contemporary
spoken language.
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If you have a choice, look over all available dictionaries
before selecting one or more with the features that will best
meet your needs.
Suggestions for using dictionaries
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Don't overuse your dictionary. Force yourself to guess at
the meaning of new words as you hear them in context.
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Avoid learning lists of words and their dictionary definitions.
Instead, after using a dictionary to look up a word, try to
use the word in a meaningful context. Check your usage with
native speakers. Finally, use the word as often as you can
for a few days and then it will be "yours."
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With picture dictionaries, some learners have a tendency
to want to learn all the words on a page. Instead, learn only
a few words at a time from among those that are immediately
useful. Skip the words that you cannot use right away.
- Gradually move from using a bilingual dictionary to a monolingual
dictionary.
A useful resource for vocabulary learning
A particularly useful language learning tool is Lexicarry, a "wordless
book" of line drawings that illustrate a total of more than
3500 words in context. Items are grouped into categories such
as functions (e.g., greetings, complimenting, requesting permission),
sequences of actions (e.g., eating, sleeping, morning routine),
topics (e.g., colors, time, weather), and places (e.g., living
room, kitchen, airport).
When you check out this site, also read the review from SIL International.
Moran, Patrick R. 1990. Lexicarry: An illustrated vocabulary
builder for second languages. Brattleboro, VT: Pro
Lingua Associates.
© Lonna Dickerson, Ph.D.
Director
Institute for Cross-Cultural Training (ICCT)
Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187
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