The Effectiveness of Dictionaries for L2 Learners - Essay Example

Introduction The economic, social, political, cultural and scientific development is responsible for the revival of the English vocabulary after certain period. After Industrial Revolution, the scope of the English vocabulary has broadened and undergone massive amendments. The English language and grammar has adopted unique and distinct approach soon after these sequential developments. The understanding and learning of English is therefore challenge for the L2 learners; at first the learner has to understand the fundamental vocabulary of the language and then has to essentially learn and apply the revised vocabulary to get along with the latest English literature and reviews. English is dynamic language, which is under continuous transition as the world accelerates and develops. The English dictionaries are the perfect resource for the L2 learners to understand and update themselves about the English vocabulary and the recent inclusions. The recent amendments and inclusions in the English level are political and technological driven; therefore an individual with formal update about the changing global scenario is aware of such amendments. The dictionaries have been somehow reluctant to add such words in their collection because primarily such words have no link with the language and communication protocol. The political terminology has no linguistic inference, but however it has political interpretation. The short-comings with reference to the publication and listing of dictionary is debatable, however it is must to suggest the intent behind dictionary. There are many terminologies which certainly become rare and uncommon after passage of time; therefore such words are never included in the dictionaries (Paul, 2002). Dictionary is considered as an effective mode of communication, because instructions delivered through this mode are clear and understandable. The element of understanding, between the book and the learner is not a pre-requisite to conduct the communication. It is important to realize that the mode of communication requires basic understanding of language and prior situation of occurrence. The familiarity of the contents and background is important; to make sense out of the interpretation of the word. Dictionary makes use of the words, sentences, grammar and other structures that are associated with spoken and written language. The term verbal refers to a number of different communication processes on the basis of tone and frequency of the speaker. It is best mode of communication to understand the emotional affinity or reaction of the speaker with reference to any event or occurrence. Dictionary has different characteristics; a politician through his deliverance can receive the focus and attention of the voters, the tone of the speaker is considered to be the best way of evaluating the level of sincerity and seriousness the couples with the intentions of the politicians. It is the dictionary which directs and influences the nature and intent of the communication. From this subject, it is evident that the dictionary shall incorporate the essential words to assist L2 learners. Dictionary is regarded as the appropriate mode of communication, and it is highly spontaneous. The dictionary has great importance with reference to the written communication. The spectrum of written communication is limited, and it is employed for limited purpose. Written communications are mainly conducted for the sake of record, but with the passage of time, it has evolved as an independent mode of communication. Earlier the individuals or companies use to build links through verbal communications, and then use to strengthen and execute it through written practices. The dictionaries have offered relevant expertise to the writers for writing and applying these words in their publication, with specific reference to L2 learners-cum-writers. Dictionary and its content have emerged as "an independent and authentic mode of communication, which is employed for official purposes; nut the evolution of technology has given it broader sense" (Paul, 2002). Dictionary is regarded as the appropriate source for understanding the English language. It is therefore expected that the several revised versions of the dictionary should contain the words which have been recently introduced. The usefulness of this book for learner, in particular L2 learner is only significant as long as it contains all relevant aspects of English vocabulary which are required by L2 learners. Procedure The intent of this exercise has been to compile the list on words developed in 1980s, and then confirm their publications and meanings in popular dictionaries. The dictionaries referred during this exercise includes, 1. Oxford Dictionary 2. Longman Dictionary 3. Macmillan Dictionary 4. Webster Dictionary 5. BBC English Dictionary Each word from the developed list has been checked thoroughly verified from all the listed dictionaries individually. The exact word has been explored in the dictionary, and the presence of the root word has been ignored, the mentioned of these words in other forms have been also ignored. Observations 1980 Words BBC English Longman Webster MacMillan Oxford A-gay NO NO NO NO NO aloe vera NO NO YES YES NO boot NO YES YES YES YES Bushism NO NO NO NO NO comb-over NO NO YES NO NO dis NO NO NO YES NO ecofeminism YES NO YES NO NO Euro YES YES YES YES YES foodie NO YES YES YES YES gazillionaire NO NO YES NO NO high-five NO NO YES YES NO inclusivist NO NO NO NO NO jet-skier NO NO NO YES NO leaderene NO NO NO NO NO Mackem NO NO NO NO NO manoalide NO NO NO NO NO maskanda NO NO NO NO NO mega-rich NO NO NO NO NO metempsychotically NO NO NO NO NO micromanager NO NO YES YES NO mini-album NO NO NO NO NO modette NO NO NO NO NO mong NO NO NO NO NO mountain bike NO NO YES YES YES nabumetone NO NO NO NO NO neo-conceptualism NO NO NO NO NO Nimby NO NO YES YES NO non-veg NO NO NO NO NO Norplant NO NO NO NO NO ouzeri NO NO NO NO NO pair-bond NO NO YES NO NO Pasdar NO NO NO NO NO petrolhead NO NO NO YES NO polysomnography NO NO NO NO NO power dresser NO NO NO NO NO Rajneeshee NO NO NO NO NO reboot NO NO YES YES NO retronym NO NO YES NO NO roid NO NO NO NO NO schoolie NO NO NO NO NO self-tanning NO NO NO NO NO stonking NO NO NO YES NO teleport NO NO YES YES NO twinkie NO NO NO NO NO unsackable NO NO NO NO NO Usenet NO NO YES YES NO videotext NO NO YES YES YES waitron NO NO YES NO NO witdoek NO NO NO NO NO telepresence NO NO NO NO NO trueish NO NO NO NO NO ubiquitination NO NO NO NO NO uncreolized NO NO NO NO NO plug-in-and-go NO NO NO NO NO plex NO NO NO NO NO pathologizing NO NO YES NO NO originalism NO NO NO NO NO overallotment NO NO NO NO NO overhyped NO NO NO NO NO paraflight NO NO NO NO NO parthenopid NO NO NO NO NO namesaking NO NO NO NO NO narcotraficante NO NO NO NO NO neo-hippie NO NO NO NO NO neo-punk NO NO NO NO NO nerdish NO NO YES NO NO Minimi NO NO NO NO NO mojado NO NO NO NO NO molehunt NO NO NO NO NO meronymy NO NO NO NO NO metical NO NO YES NO NO microlight NO NO NO YES NO microwaving NO NO NO NO NO Marielito NO NO NO NO NO mathlete NO NO NO NO NO maturase NO NO NO NO NO hazmat NO NO YES NO NO houseshare NO NO NO NO NO hypercolour NO NO NO NO NO Findings The dictionaries have certainly incorporated the words introduced in 1980s; however not all the words have been given coverage. The dictionaries have introduced the new words in their publication, but not all the words have been given adequate coverage. In many cases, only the root words have been defined and explained. The inappropriate coverage of the new words has the potential to influence and affect the learning of L2 learners. From the perspective of L2 learners, the dictionaries have failed to provide adequate assistance. The table reveals that majority of the words launched in 1980s were not published in the 1990s edition of the dictionaries. It is important to discuss the origin of the words while we explore the effectiveness of the dictionaries. The technological, political, social and economic development has created several new words, and these words have gathered acceptance within their professional network. These words have rare public application, therefore the popularity of these words among the public is low. Based upon their popularity, these words are rarely used in literature, drama, novels, newspapers and magazines. It is only the professional journals where these words are published by the professionals and technocrats; the originator of these words (Paul, 2002). It is important for the L2 learners to educate themselves about different features of the language inclusive of the new words. The dictionaries referred in this article have although failed to incorporate the latest series of words even after period of 10years, but all these dictionaries have discussed and published features and characteristics of English words. Such characterization of the words by the dictionaries will benefit the L2 learners, and will support them during their learning process. The retention of the new words is another challenge for the students. These dictionaries have developed L2 learner-friendly approach, under which the origin of these words have been discussed along with meanings, and these words have been applied in sentences for appropriate understanding of these words. The friendly approach has provided L2 learners with an opportunity to understand the fundamental of the word (Paul, 2002). With reference to Webster dictionary, the dictionary has offered ample resource towards explanation of the origin of each word. The historic background of each word has been discussed, and the pronunciation of these words has been explained. The dictionary however failed to give practical example, thus the actual application of the word remains unknown for the L2 learners. With reference to Oxford dictionary, the dictionary has explained the meaning of the word, but above all the dictionary has applied the word in sentence, thus providing L2l learner with an opportunity to understand the actual application of the word. The pronunciation of the words has been mentioned in the dictionary. With reference to dictionaries published by Longman, BBC English and MacMillan, all these dictionaries have explained the meaning of the words, but have also split the words to identify the root word. As observed that several words released in 1980s have not been published in the 1990s publication of the dictionaries, the publishers have linked this gap with the popularity of the words. The dictionary publishers have also confirmed that many new words have professional and technological affiliation; therefore these words have been captured in their special-professional editions, and have been ignored in their normal version. From the perspective of L2 learner, the dictionary should contain all the relevant aspect of the word which includes its root words, its application, its form and an example. Many publishers have been careful about the specific needs and requirements of the L2 learners and other readers. The intent behind referring to the dictionary is to improve the retention of the words, the success of thee dictionary can be only confirmed if the reader is able to comprehend the word, its meaning and its application. The words discussed in BBC English were based upon the words generally applied in BBC transmission. This assumption is somehow invalid, because of the terminologies are not discussed in media, therefore the dictionary has confined its scope of research. The words discussed in Webster are consolidated by the team of experts, who refer to several journals and periodicals to identify new words. The Oxford dictionary publishes the words with common usage, and it is evident that many words of 1980s have been found missing in the 1990s publication of Oxford. MacMillan and Longman has no standard practice regarding incorporation of new words in the dictionaries, rather the words commonly used in print media are given due focus. It was interesting to observe that these dictionaries have in some special cases referred to the circumstances under which the word was developed. The dictionaries have further explained the correlation between the words with other terminologies having similar meanings. The German, French, Arabic and other linguistic affiliation of the words have been briefly described in some cases. With specific reference to the word eco-feminism, the word is in actual is used as condemnation of environment; however this condemnation has been linked with the expressions of feminism. A feminist will condemn any measures against the women society; therefore similarly the eco-feminism is an approach of condemning the measures against environment. Inference Through this fact-find mission, it has been confirmed that dictionary cannot be regarded as perfect and ideal tool for checking out the meanings of the 1980-period released words. The dictionaries have certainly incorporated all such words which are not time-oriented or political motivated. From the perspective of L2 learners, these dictionaries might not be highly effective, but still useful for reference and verification under general circumstances. The significance and involvement of dictionary in the coming years have increased manifold. The Scientific Research has proven dictionary s a strong medium, which can incorporate vocal and linguistic skills and personal attributes into an individual. Following facts and figures are listed to support the case, 1. According to College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers, L2 learners who have referred to the dictionary at different stages scored averaged 55 points higher in verbal portion as compare with did students having English as their primary language. 2. Neurological Research reported that the selected group of L2students who learnt through dictionaries scored 27% higher in vocabulary than the students having English are their mother-tongue (Paul, 2002). Dictionary has generated positive impact on the learning capabilities of the human, all this has been proven scientifically. The content of dictionary has introduced essence of creativity, intellectual inspiration, and motivation into the L2 learners. This medium of expression has crossed all the geographical barriers ands have penetrated deep in our society transpiring a feeling of comfort, and advocating a bridge of understanding and conflict resolution. From the perspective of publishers, the majority of the words have not been published because of their timely significance. The words introduced in 1980s shared partial significance, and most of the words were launched because of their professional, political and technological acumen. The significance of these words have diminished with the passage of time, and therefore their frequent application and usage has declined; thus based upon these facts the publication of these words have been either ignored or neglected (Paul, 2002). The introduction of the new words in English network has been regarded as fundamental practice with reference to the all design research procedures, and it the responsibility of the linguistic expertise inclusive of dictionary publishers to ensure that the contents and the scope of the vocabulary is ethical and moral, the design research shall be conducted "within an ethic of respect for persons, respect for knowledge, and respect for the quality of the literature" (Paul, 2002). It demands that "the origin is valid and that threats to its validity have been taken into account" (Paul, 2002), and reporting has been accurate and sufficient details have been listed and supplemented for the clarity and appropriate interpretation of the research content. Dictionary has been observed as strong medium of expression and learning which can be applied on technical and non-technical areas. The book is more than source of communication which can be practiced to build and enhance the linguistic potential which can be exercised to achieve comprehensive and outstanding results. References 1. Sally Wehmeier. Oxford advanced learner's dictionary. Oxford University Press. 2000. 2. Della Summers, Adam Gadsby. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. Longman Publication. 1995. 3. William Darrach Halsey, Christopher G. Morris, Howard Berelson. Macmillan Dictionary. Macmillan Publication. 1998. 4. John Sinclair. BBC English Dictionary: Dictionary for the World. Harper Collins Publishers. 1993. 5. Webster. Webster's American Dictionary. Penguin Books Canada. 1999. 6. Anthony Paul Cowie. English dictionaries for foreign learners: A History. Oxford University Press. 2002. pp. 123-134. Read More