Does anyone use real dictionaries anymore?
Back when I was in school (I know, I know, it´s like "when I was your age..."), we learned to use Spanish dictionaries for our vocab queries. We would have a unit that even focused on the terms within the dictionary, to make sure you didn´t call the blinds on the windows "ciegos" (haha).
I am just wondering, with the digital age in full swing, do young (middle and high school) students still use paperback dictionaries? Or for your classes do you strictly use online dictionaries?
My hardcopy dictionary is so old that the introduction says that it is proud to announce new additions to the vocabulary, such as AIDS, microchip and videocasette. Oh yes, it is that old.
I personally find it much faster to use an online dictionary rather than a hard copy, but that's me. Do you think there are advantages/disadvantages to online dictionaries?
This website is amazing, or so I think. If I had a place where I could ask tons of grammar questions, get proofreading done, AND have a helpful dictionary back when I was in school, it would be a lifesaver. What do you think?
17 Answers
What a great question, Missy. For speed, you really can't beat using the Web. However, on warm summer days, when I'm sitting outside reading (or trying to read!) a book in Spanish, I keep a hard-copy dictionary and a book of verb conjugations right next to me. One nice thing, besides ready availability, about hard-copy dictionaries is that they can lead you down unexpected paths and help you to find more fine-tuned and subtle translations.
When my grandchildren are here studying, I make them use both English and Spanish hard-copy dictionaries. I started doing that when I realized my grandson would just park himself in front of the computer, do quick dictionary searches, and end up retaining nothing at all. There's something about searching through a hard-copy that makes them work more slowly and carefully.
Perhaps this is a bit like the old arguments about calculators. It's great to have an electronic device to do math for you, but it's still important to know the steps needed to solve a math problem.
I used to spend a lot of time looking at dictionaries (Spanish) and just getting familiar with the words, but I am busier now so it is hard to find the time. But I really do love good ol' regular dictionaries. =]
I do. I love to go through dictionaries and find words that I use regularly to make them into sentences, conjugate them, etc. Sure there are a lot of online sources, but I prefer to do things manually. 
Unfortunately I do so much reading/writing/translating these days that it is necessary for me to use an online dictionary mainly due to time constraints. However, I love the feeling of actually having a book in hand; it feels so much more organic/intimate. For me using a real native Spanish dictionary has always been the best way for me to learn new vocabulary. There is something to be said about having to actually go through the process of opening a book up and looking for the word.
I have always, and still do, just read the dictionary ramdomly. It is interesting to find the various meanings, word origins, & related information. I find it keeps the mind award of context, just like the dreaded math in school. estar bien y seguro.
The good thing about a hard copy dictionary is that you can use it during a thunder storm; during a power outage; while you are in a waiting room (providing you have good lighting); when you can't get to the Internet for whatever reason; and if it gets wet, it won't short out, you just have to let it dry on its own. But online dictionaries are just as good: they provided fast specific responses; they cut down on wasted time; they are descriptive; and they are convenient when you don't have a lot of space to work with. Our ancestors did the best they could with what they had: lots of paper and bookshelves. Today we can balance that out with online sources. You're right about this website; it is a cut above the rest.
I keep my hard copy of Larrouse Concise Dictionary and my Barron's 501 Spanish Verbs close but find myself using them less and less. It really is a shame because wandering through a paper dictionary allows you to see words you would never see otherwise.
I use both, cause they may both have different answers. Like when I'm on this website, i use the internet cause i'm already on. But, when I am just reading a book in spanish, I prefer to use a dictionary.
They both are very helpful so I suggest you just use both. (although dictionaries are slower) But that's just me. I do find both to be extremely helpful at different times!
I use a dictionary for school and sometimes at home. However, usually I use this site at home because it is fast and easy. Last school year I used a dictionary more often. This year many of our words are located towards the back of our textbooks.
I used to but with the ease and availability of technology these days, it's less practical for me. I use this site's iphone app almost exclusively for my vocabulary.
i use real books and dictionaries, it is a security blanket for me and it makes me feel good.
Yo uso real libros y diccionarios, es una manta de seguridad para mí y me hace sentir bien.
I have an English / Spanish dictionary and my " Big Red Book of Verbs " to the left
of my beloved Imac , I have never used the electronic wizardry although I have repeatedly
been accused of so doing , I love the tactile feel of the books although I often get
engrossed whilst looking up a word and forget why I am in there in the first place .
I stocked up on paper dictionaries and other reference works when I started studying Spanish, because that's how it was done 20-25 years ago when I was learning German, and bits of Swedish and Finnish. That having been said, I find them not getting used much. The online stuff is super convenient. Especially smartphone accessible works. I even have one screen on my phone devoted to apps that are local-installs, i.e. don't require a cell or wifi signal, so that I end up with even less reason for hauling heavy paper tomes around.
Now, if the fine folks at SpanishDict would just do a good port of their flashcards to the smartphone app (browser based is a bit clumsly, especially for the timed exercizes) the world would be perfect(ish)
I use a oxford dictionary. It is old and grey and the binding is coming off!
I use a real dictionary,Oxford dictionary is excellent and I like it very much,The setences in it are beautiful.I think we can learn much from that.Of course,when I am on line,i refer the word on internet.It's conveniet.
