Dictionaries play an important part in one’s education. If you are learning a new language, after your teacher, it is the printed dictionaries that can help you a lot. In today’s modern world our lives are governed by technology. So with the help of technology you can get an electronic dictionary online.
You can get different types of printed dictionaries. These include monolingual dictionaries as well as bilingual printed dictionaries. Bilingual dictionaries are those where the meaning is given in the same language as well as some other language. For example you can find printed dictionary giving you the meaning of the word from English to English and some other language such as German.
There are many varieties of printed dictionaries available. You can also get picture dictionary for the beginners. At the very beginning of your learning process, the printed dictionary comes in handy. You can also view the picture in front of you. There are printed dictionaries especially compiled for learners. These learner’s dictionaries not only give the meaning of the word, they also show how to use that particular word.
There is always a debate going on between the use of printed dictionaries and the electronic dictionaries. If the speed is the main criteria, then electronic dictionaries win hands down but if the teacher guides the students to properly use the printed dictionary the student can learn much more than just the new word.
Printed dictionaries make it easy for the students to look up the meaning. So when they go in for advance studies they can easily look up encyclopaedia, the glossary etc. They can learn the intrinsic beauty of the language. Sometimes in order to translate something from one language to the other, bilingual printed dictionaries are required and these play an important part. But it is always best to remember that each language is unique and it is very difficult to find exact word from the other language. Sometimes the real meaning is lost in the translation!
For the students of languages, it is always better to use printed dictionaries. The use of printed dictionaries not only makes them proficient in looking up the word in alphabetical manner they also learn how to use the word. They can learn many similar words. So the meaning of the text becomes clear to the student. It encourages the student to use the other language fluently.
There is always a difference of opinion between the use of monolingual and bilingual printed dictionaries. Each type of dictionary has its advantages and disadvantages. It is always better to make use of both types of printed dictionaries. The monolingual dictionary makes the user aware of the meaning of a particular word and it helps by giving different connotations of the same word. It also builds up vocabulary of the student. The increased vocabulary in turn makes the learner more comfortable in another language. The bilingual printed dictionary may help the learner to understand the meaning in his/her own mother tongue. Some people argue that it makes much more sense to know the exact word in your mother tongue.
Miles Lovegrove is director of Fluid Branding (http://www.fluidbranding.com), the UK's largest supplier of printed dictionaries and Promotional Products. For Eco Friendly promotional products, including Recycled, Organic and Sustainable items visit Eco Incentives at http://www.ecoincentives.com
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