ALR November~December 1999

Books: Cambridge Dictionary

Cambridge Dictionary of American English
Cambridge University Press, 1999 New York $15.95 ($20.95 w/CD-ROM)

The Cambridge Dictionary of American English impressed me as a useful resource for ESL or ELD classrooms. It contains the necessary features of a good dictionary with additional resources for English-learners. I found myself using it while doing my own writing as it is more compact and user-friendly than the large, heavy dictionaries most of us have on our bookshelves. Additionally, the CD-ROM version’s ability to provide a spoken pronunciation of every word struck me as an invaluable resource to ESL/ELD students.

Modern usage definitions and example sentences are two of the many reasons why the dictionary would be a useful resource for non-native speakers of English.

The book is comprehensive (over 40,000 words) but not overwhelming. Only the modern usage definitions are provided. Therefore, the reader need not search among several definitions. After each definition, there is an example to show how the word is most commonly used. Additionally, if a word is part of a common idiom, the idiom is also listed. (An index of idioms is located in the back of the book.)

“Rude slang”, “infml” (informal), and “fml” (formal) are three of the various labels attached to some of the words.

This information helps ESL/ELD students understand the appropriateness of certain words in certain situations. The Cambridge Dictionary of American English does not hold back in its honest representation of American English. Words that might be considered slang, by some, are not excluded. This honesty gives students the opportunity to make wise decisions about the words and phrases they choose.
One of the features that make this book a quick reference is the use of “guide words” or synonyms. If a word has more than one meaning, “guide words” are shown so that the readers can quickly find the definition they are looking for.

The CD-ROM that can be purchased with the dictionary would be a valuable added resource in a modern classroom or in a student’s computer with adequate processing speed. The computer version of the dictionary is a fast reference with the ability to search for phrases within the definitions.
Personally, I found it quicker to look in the dictionary itself rather than wait for my slow computer to bring up a word.
I was impressed however, with its ability to pronounce the words out loud for students. One of the greatest problems language teachers face, pronunciation, could be greatly reduced with this instrument.

The Cambridge Dictionary of American English would be a practical and comprehensive tool for any student, and a welcome addition to any desktop.