4. Dictionary Use
Since we have known that learning synonymous word is important, now we have to consider about how to learn synonymous words. Dictionary use is
considered as one of good strategies to learn synonymous words. Before using dictionaries to help us learn synonymous words, we need to know the importance
of dictionary in vocabulary development, the kinds of dictionary, the examples of dictionary, and the consideration to choose the appropriate dictionary to learn
synonymous words.
a. The use of dictionary Dictionary is one of the tools in learning language. Using dictionary is one
of the most important vocabulary learning Nunan et al., 2003: 158. It is considered as one of good vocabulary learning strategies. Dale and O’Rourke
1971: 277 state that from the dictionary, the learners can get information on word derivation, meaning, spelling, and pronunciation. The use of dictionary
increases the students’ understanding of general, technical, and literary terms. It also gives information about the formal and informal use of words, idioms,
foreign words, proper nouns, and abbreviations. In his book, Nation states that dictionary can be used to correct errors and eventually prevent such errors
Nation, 1990: 155. In addition, dictionaries are generally used when students have already come across a word and then look it up to check that they know how
to use it Harmer, 2001: 170. Because of the importance of dictionary use, the students must get into the habit of using dictionary Burton, 1982: 101.
Surprisingly, a large number of students cannot use the dictionary effectively Dale and O’Rourke, 1971: 277. Dictionary provides much
information that the students’ need in learning language. Unfortunately, the students cannot dig as much information as possible from the dictionary. The
students only find the definition of an unfamiliar word or as much of it as the student cares to read, comprehend it at the time of reading but quickly forget it.
To use the dictionary effectively, the students can find sufficient keys to understand it fully through careful analysis of the entire definition, remember it,
and most important, use it intelligently Dale and O’Rourke, 1971: 277. Teacher plays an important role in the students’ ability to use the dictionary effectively.
The teacher should train the students to be able to use the dictionary effectively Bright and McGregor, 1970: 35. Furthermore, it is also important for teachers to
be very careful in choosing the appropriate dictionary for the students. Because of that reason, teachers must know the kinds of dictionary.
b. Kinds of dictionary
There are many kinds of dictionary, especially English dictionary, which can be used to help the students in learning English language. Dictionaries can be
bilingual or monolingual. Many students, in their early stages of studies, use bilingual dictionary or translating dictionary. The reason why the students use
bilingual dictionaries is clearly stated below: There is every good reason for them to want this since, at least in earlier
stages, people tend to translate in their heads when they are learning in a foreign language, and the idea of a one-to-one correspondence between
words in two languages is immensely attractive Harmer, 2001:168. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
If bilingual dictionary provides just the information that the students need, there is nothing wrong to use bilingual dictionary. Unfortunately, all too often
bilingual dictionaries fail to show how words are used in the foreign language, providing simple answers. They also fail to give sufficient information about
grammatical context, appropriacy, and connotation Harmer, 2001: 168. However, students need to use monolingual dictionaries if they want to be an
advanced user of the language Jordan, 1997: 208. There are many advantages of
using monolingual dictionary. In monolingual dictionary, the students can find information such as the different meanings that words have, how they are
pronounced, what other words they collocate with, and when they can be used Harmer, 2001:169.
According to Jordan 1997: 208, there are several kinds of monolingual dictionary:
1 Learner’s dictionaries
Learner’s dictionaries are designed according to the needs of the learners. This kind of dictionary is the most appropriate for the learners. But the learner’s
dictionaries themselves contain of many kinds of dictionary. The teacher and the students must be very careful in selecting the appropriate dictionary according to
their needs.
2 Native speaker’s dictionaries
These kinds of dictionaries are primarily designed to provide decoding information to understand the meaning of something in a foreign language. The
kinds of encoding information to express the meaning of something in a foreign language that a foreign learner would need are not included. They are used by an
advanced student in need of a wider range of entries than in a learner’s dictionary. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
3 Pronouncing dictionaries
The pronouncing dictionaries give the standard pronunciation of all word forms in phonetic symbols. This kind of dictionary can be very useful, especially
for an English teacher who might be uncertain of some pronunciations.
4 Specialist subject dictionaries
The dictionaries include the vocabulary of specialized subjects. For example: dictionaries of science, history, psychology, economics, geography,
sports and pastimes, slang, clichés, proverbs, quotations, etc.
5 Thesaurus a virtual dictionary of synonyms
They contain lists of synonyms that are grouped according to their meanings, but give no indication of usage, collocation or style. They can only be
recommended for advanced students.
c. Examples of dictionary and their contents 1 Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 1995
This monolingual dictionary was written by A S Hornby. This dictionary contains some features:
- 183,500 British and American words, phrases and meanings - 85,000 example sentences
- 2,000 new words bird flu, life coach, offshoring - 7,000 synonyms and opposites
- 5,000 study words from the sciences, literature, computing and business - 700 World English words stickybeak, godown, indaba
- 2,600 cultural words Walter Mitty, Forth Bridge, Capitol Hill PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
- 2,000 words illustrated - 32 pages of colour illustrations
- 96 study pages essay writing, emails, quick grammar reference As it can be seen in the list of feature above, this dictionary contains of
synonyms. The dictionary also explains how to differentiate the synonymous words and how to use them in context.
2 Longman Contemporary English 2006
This dictionary is also monolingual. We can see the features of this dictionary below:
- 155,000 natural examples bring English to life - British and American pronunciations of headwords, including people and
place names - 1 million additional sentences from books and newspaper
- 3,000 most frequent words in spoken and written English highlighted - 207,000 words, phrases, and meanings
- Collocation and Word focus boxes This dictionary contains of words focus boxes. One of the explanations in
the boxes is the explanation about synonyms. Like Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, this dictionary gives explanation how to differentiate the synonymous
words and how to use them in context.
3 The Merriam-Webster Dictionary 1975
This monolingual dictionary contains approximately 57,000 entries which constitute to the core of English language. It contains the definition of words,
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