Almost all spheres of our lives are going digital. Print versions of one of the most important components of language studies - dictionaries - are going to be totally replaced by online ones.
Macmillan Editor-in-Chief Michael Rundell:
“Dictionaries have found their ideal medium. The traditional book format is very limiting for any kind of reference work. Books are out of date as soon as they’re printed, and the space constraints they impose often compromise our goals of clarity and completeness. There is so much more we can do for our users in digital media.”
Watch the video representing the reasons for this substitution. Which would you opt for: online dictionaries or good old paper ones? What are the reasons of your choice?
I endorse wholeheartedly the opinion that it makes sense to put on-line dictionaries on the increase. Firstly, using on-line dictionaries is environmentally friendly. Judging by the statistics, 60% of forests are cut down annually to get paper for dictionaries and books. Isn’t it utterly wasteful? If we substitute paper dictionaries, deforestation will no longer be spread on a big scale and woods will be preserved for good. Secondly, on-line dictionaries are immortal. Have ever come across an old on-line dictionary? According to Michael Rundell, Macmillan Editor-in-Chief, such dictionaries are being always upgraded and they can be neither out of date nor out of time. Consequently, if information takes a leading role in your life, you will never be misled with an on-line dictionary on hand.
ReplyDeleteUnmistakably, some people don’t meet with the approval of the evidence above. They have a tendency to assume that paper dictionaries are here to stay as they are part of our heritage.
Without a fear of having a finger of doubt pointed at me, paper dictionaries are growing obsolete. Although, they possess a historical value, it isn’t a fine line to stick to applying them. Time is going, so are we. Modern technologies dictate their own rules and we need to follow them to stay up-to-date.
I support the idea that paper dictionaries will become obsolete. Many online dictionaries are free or cheaper than classic ones. They are mobile. With the help of e-book we can easily put our dictionary in the handbag. They are usually easier than paper dictionaries. By the same token, it isn’t necessary to cut down woods for online dictionaries. It is a good way to make ecologic situation better.
ReplyDeleteFrom the other point of view, it is impossible to use online dictionaries. Some people think that we should use an opportunity to spend time without different devices. Moreover, many people believe that online dictionaries can’t be effective for the language learning.
I strongly disagree with this view, because I find it is comfortable that one device can store thousand dictionaries. Also, online dictionaries allow us not only to read words, but also display multimedia clips and transcriptions.
I support the first viewpoint, because as I know all of us have an access to the Net. People can surf it and work online. Such kind of dictionaries have a great number of profitable functions for a person such as interpretation of words, how and when we can use this or that word. Moreover, we are able to check and correct the pronunciation by listening to the speech. For example, if you are out and you can not use a paper dictionary you can enter the Net via a cell phone and use the services online without any problems.
ReplyDeleteThe other group of people assures that paper dictionaries can not be compared with online ones such as some of them can be transferable. Paper dictionaries as well as books are of great value because sometimes it is better to hold them and to feel a close contact of a human and a book.
What has been discussed above is not so perfect, because it seems to me if new technologies are developing why not to use them.
I’m firmly sure that on-line dictionaries are really magnificent. They are so simple in using that trying on-line dictionary once you won’t prefer to go back to paper ones. You don’t have to turn over the pages to find a word or a rule that you need. There is just one thing is required: to type your request. Also, on-line dictionaries are so portable. One can use them in any time irrespectively of your location.
ReplyDeleteBut others contend that old paper dictionaries are more user-friendly. You can just open it and find everything you need. And moreover, a lot of people prefer paper books to touch their pages and to feel this wonderful smell.
I’d like to contradict the idea that is given above. I believe that is more comfortable to know what you want just pushing one button. It’s so quickly. And speaking about enjoy ness, some on-line dictionaries have such a wonderful design gladden the eye
In this an extremely difficult choice I support on-line dictionaries. I find them very suitable and useful for our everyday life and for people who are interested in languages. Every web-site or electronic device helps people to develop themselves or to live easier. And it is a blessing for people, isn’t it? For example, On-line dictionaries are always updating and that’s why you shouldn’t afraid that you’ve missed new information. Also it is comfortable and easy to take with you e-book with dictionary in it. Also the fact that a lot of millions of wood are using for printed dictionaries makes me upset. And on-line dictionaries are the best way to avoid deforestation.
ReplyDeleteBut some people are disagree with my arguments because they believe that books and printed dictionaries are the result of the centuries-old work and everyone should pass this tradition through generations.
But we live in century of new technologies and I find it necessary to keep up with the time and use everything new, furthermore, if it is helpful for you.