Dictionaries and Translators
Dictionaries are useful tools in learning a language. I still frequently refer to a dictionary to help me
learn my native language of English better. For example, I just learned the difference between setup and
set up. Now dictionaries don’t only come as books, but also as electronic gadgets, software, online
resources, and even as apps to be loaded on your cell phone.
Do a Google search for “WordWeb”. Download and install the free version of the program on your
computer.
(*A back-up instillation copy of Wordweb can be found in the 302 Assignments folder. But it’s probably better for you
to gain the experience of learning how to find and download software.)
Using WordWeb, look up these common words up.
 Car
Definition: A motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an
internal combustion engine.
o 10 Parts: accelerator, air bag, buffer, bumper, car door, car seat, car
window, fender, car mirror, gas pedal
o 10 Types: ambulance, Bentley, bus, cab, Cadillac, clunker, carriage,
electric, gas guzzler, cruiser

Shirt

Bad

setup or set up
Definition: A garment worn on the upper half of the body
o 10 Parts: dickey, dickie, dicky, shirt button, shirtfront, shirting,
shirtsleeve, shirttail
o 10 Types: dress shirt, evening shirt, polo shirt, sport shirt, tank top,
tee shirt, T-shirt, work-shirt, hair shirt, kurta
Definition: having undesirable or negative qualities; very intense
o 10 Similarities: abominable, atrocious, awful, corked, corky, crummy,
deplorable, disobedient, distressing, dreadful, evil
o Differences: Set up: V-start a new organization or institution; setup:
N- equipment designed to serve a specific function
List several online dictionaries and give an example entry of a word you looked up.
Dictionary
ex. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/
tech·nol·o·gy
–noun
1. the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their
interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial
arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.
2. the terminology of an art, science, etc.; technical nomenclature.
3. a technological process, invention, method, or the like.
4. the sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of
their civilization.
Dictionary 1
Merriam-Webster http://www.merriam-webster.com/
furious
-adjective
1. exhibiting or goaded by anger
2. indicative of or proceeding from anger
3. giving a stormy or turbulent appearance
4. marked by noise, excitement, activity, or rapidity
5. intense
Dictionary 2
Oxford Dictionaries http://oxforddictionaries.com/us
sporadic
-adjective
1. occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated
Dictionary 3
The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/
Hilarious
-adjective
1. Characterized by or causing great merriment
Note: Search for Online Collocation Dictionary if time.
Translators (Bilingual Dictionaries)
In the old days, one had to use a bilingual dictionary when doing translation work. Now there are several
online resources that can translate not only words, but whole phrases or sentences. Even Microsoft
Word has a translate function.
Use an electronic translator to translate these following sentences into English.
Spanish: Mis alumnos son los mejores estudiantes en todo el mundo.
English Translation: My students are the best students in the world.
French: Mon chien mangé mes devoirs.
English Translation: My dog ate my homework.
Hebrew: ?‫איפה אני יכול לקנות ספר זה‬
English Translation: Where can I buy this book?
Russian: Брат Кристенсен это мой любимый учитель.
English Translation: Brother Christensen is my favorite teacher.
Chinese (Taiwan): 紅色跑車開車路上非常快。
English Translation: The red sports car drove down the road very fast.
Chinese (PRC): 当我年轻的时候我隔壁的女孩子爱上了。
English Translation: When I was young I fell in love with the girl next door.
Japanese: Brother Wyman makes very hard tests. (Sorry, too hard for the translator programs. Can you
find one that works?)
Japanese Translation: Brother Wyman makes very hard tests.
Korean: 하와이에서 학교로 이동 하 고 싶습니다.
English Translation: I want to go to school in Hawaii.
Tai: ฉั นจำเป็ นต ้องดืม
่ น้ ำเนือ
่ งจำกอำหำรนีจ
้ ะเผ็ด hot
English Translation: I need to drink water because food is spicy hot.
Tongan: Oku ou fia kai ia.
English Translation: I’m hungry.
Do you think translator programs have a place in the L2 classroom? Explain.
Answer: I sure do! I think that translator programs could really help in the L2
classroom. They can help us understand how words and phrases are said in other
languages. However, I think they need to be used within certain limits. For
example, when students write their assignments in their native language and
simply use a translator to translate it into English, they are not really doing the
work. However, tanslators can be used when a student does not know a
particular word.
Finishing Touches
 Blog after every class about what you are learning.
 Add a background color to this document, but make sure it is still easy to read.
[Check out the answers to the translations below. Cool? huh!]
 Name this document “Dictionaries” and save it as a PDF or Word Document in your portfolio
folder.
 Link the file to your Home Page.
Spanish: My students are the best students in the whole world.
French: My dog ate my homework.
Hebrew: Where can I buy this book?
Russian: Brother Christensen is my favorite teacher.
Chinese (Taiwan): The red sports car drove down the road very fast.
Chinese (PRC): When I was young, I was in love with the girl next door.
Japanese: Brother Wyman makes very hard tests.
Korean: I want to go to school in Hawaii.
Tai: I need a drink of water because this food is spicy hot.
Tongan: I’m hungry.