![]() Sometimes, the positions of the stress marks differ, depending on the meaning and class of a word. The one above the line represents primary stress, whereas the one below the line portrays secondary stress. Within this transcription, stress marks (ˌˈ) are deployed. This act of representing words as sounds is called transcription transcribed words are put in-between slashes. Very importantly, the dictionary helps with the pronunciation of words through the representation of words as sounds. The knowledge of syllabification schools us in where to split a word at the end of a line, during writing or typing. This breakdown is indicated with dots in-between the syllables. A dictionary also gives the appropriate syllable breakdown in a word. For instance, ‘fulfil’ and ‘fulfill’ depict British orthography and American orthography, correspondingly. Some dictionaries equally give the variant spellings of words, such as the American and/or British variants. First, a dictionary gives the proper spelling of a word. With that being said, I shall discuss the major functions that the dictionary performs. Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic EnglishĬambridge International Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs Special dictionaries, on the other hand, deal with a particular use of the dictionary. The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English A general dictionary treats all uses of the dictionary with limited emphasis on the different parts. Moving on, it bears mentioning that there are general dictionaries and special dictionaries. Read Also: The English Language and the business world This enables them to understand words in context. Users of a language should consult dictionaries when they come across new words or they need to confirm the status and usages of other words. Though many persons do the latter, it is not a habit to be encouraged. Lastly, it is important to know that dictionaries are meant to be consulted primarily, and not to be read like books. In particular, the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary designates ‘foodstuff’ as ‘usually plural’, whereas the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English regards it as ‘uncountable, countable or plural’. No two dictionaries have exactly the same plan or pattern. ![]() Again, it should be noted that there are usually some differences among dictionaries. For instance, the word, peradventure, is not found in a number of known dictionaries, such as the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, yet it has been in the Oxford Dictionary of English for quite some time. Second, it is erroneous to assume that a word does not exist because it is not found in one or more dictionaries. Like human beings who write them (lexicographers), dictionaries could have errors, although on extremely rare occasions. Before discussing these uses, it is essential to address some of the misconceptions about dictionaries.įirst, it should be noted that no dictionary is infallible. Although a dictionary is a reference book, its uses require some guides and explanations. Everyone who desires to use any language proficiently must make the dictionary his/her companion. It is a reference book that gives information about words. A dictionary is a compilation of words in alphabetical order.
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