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Functions of a Dictionary:
Definition:
Provides meanings of words, helping users understand
vocabulary.
Pronunciation:
Indicates how to pronounce words, often using phonetic
symbols.
Etymology:
Explains the origin and historical development of words.
Parts of Speech:
Identifies whether a word is a noun, verb, adjective, etc.
Usage:
Offers examples of how to use a word in context, including
common phrases and idioms.
Synonyms and Antonyms:
Lists words with similar meanings (synonyms) and opposites
(antonyms).
Translation:
Some dictionaries provide translations for words in different
languages.
Spelling:
Helps with correct spelling, indicating common variants and
alternate forms.
Importance of a Dictionary:
Language Mastery:
Essential for learning and mastering a language, as it helps
expand one’s vocabulary.
Online Corpus-based Learner Dictionary
The best online learner dictionaries include:
(1) a corpus-based compilation of words;
(2) word frequency data;
(3) collocation guides;
(4) authentic examples of how words are used; and
(5) topical vocabulary from different disciplines.
Dictionaries are organized alphabetically, so start with
the first letter of the word that you are trying to find.
'Alliteration' is going to be in the first section of the
dictionary under 'a'.
There will be lots of entries for each letter of the alphabet,
so use the guide word at the top of the page to help you.
The guide word tells you what the first or last word on
that page of the dictionary is.
You will need to look at the second letter of the word,
and then the third, and so on, in order to find it.
It takes a little practice to find words quickly.
You may need to scan several pages of the dictionary
in order to find the word that you need. Scanning is a
way of reading quickly to find the information that you
need. The more you practice, the better you will get
at finding words fast.
When you find your word, there may be an abbreviation
next to it. Perhaps vb., n., or adj. The introduction to
your dictionary will tell you what they each mean
because every dictionary is different, but these are
the most common and may indicate that your word
is a verb, a noun, or an adjective.
Some words have multiple meanings.
These will usually be numbered, and may have an
example of the way that the word can be used in
a sentence.
Some dictionaries may give even more information;
perhaps about the origin and history of a word, or
some of its synonyms (words or phrases which mean
the same, or nearly the same).
Test your knowledge on how to use a dictionary
with this quick quiz.
How a dictionary helps
A good dictionary is not just a list of isolated words
with their meanings or translations. Indeed, it can be
argued that a word in isolation has no definite meaning:
the meaning only becomes apparent when the word is
placed in context.
The job of the dictionary is to place a word in each of
its possible contexts and explain its meaning in each case.
In order to do this successfully, the dictionary needs to
be based on the analysis of words in real text and
communication.
A dictionary can be used to look up the meaning of a word.
You can also use a dictionary to check the spelling of a word.
Dictionaries may also give other information about
words, such as word type and word origin.
8-Teaching Vocabulary communicatively.
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