Friday, February 3, 2012

The best bilingual (English-Spanish) dictionary?

One of my ESL students recently asked me to recommend a bilingual dictionary (probably pocket sized). What do you think is the best bilingual dictionary (Spanish-English) for students learning English and very importantly WHY?The best bilingual (English-Spanish) dictionary?
The Oxford English-Spanish Pocket Dictionary

or the spanish equivalent

Oxford Espanol-Ingles Diccionario



This is a cultural dictionary and includes more explanation of uses for each word (including phrases). For a Spanish example. The phrase dar luz (literally give light) in spanish actually means to give birth. Judy gave light to a little boy. But, most dictionaries can only translate the literal words. This Oxford dictionary includes this cultural reference.



And, this dictionary will include these cultural definitions for BOTH languages. The Pocket version is practically all you will ever need, unless you are reading Cien Anos de Soledad or something (100 Years of Solitude). It will work great for students both learning spanish and learning english!

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