5sweeties Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 My daughter is using a really good French program, and needs the best French/English dictionary. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 The Larousse worked for me through 4 semesters of college French, then I needed a French/French dictionary (plus internet dictionaries for slang) for literature classes. There is also the huge Collins one, and another large Oxford one. "Best dictionary" is definitely a relative term here (relative to what you need/like at the time) and has little to do with which program you are using. That is to say that the vocabulary is usually gradually built through the program, not through a dictionary. My dd is in the third semester of college French and very rarely needs to use a dictionary. I would really recommend beginning with a "beginner" dictionary because they are easier to use at first, but honestly, it doesn't really matter. Heck, if you want to avoid the expense, use an online translator! Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5sweeties Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Thank you for your help! She likes to write...even in a language she is barely learning...the translations help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lorna Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 My daughter is using a really good French program, and needs the best French/English dictionary. Any suggestions? I love the Oxford-Hachette French Dictionary. I find it logically laid out with plenty of phrases and examples which make translation far simpler and more accurate. I enjoying simply reading through it in itself. Make sure you get the most recent dictionary you can, it will reflect todays spoken French much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Just real quick, I do have to add a "translator beware" to the online translation sites. They are great for single words, phrases and some sentences but break down at some point as illustrated by this ... :lol::lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielle Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 If the house was burning, one of the possessions I'd run for would be my Unabridged Larousse. Well, maybe not--probably I'd get my collection of recipes first. Anyway, I love that Larousse. It has great sample sentences. If you don't want to invest in the Unabridged, I'd go for the Collins college edition--that's what I bought my daughter. Danielle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimmyKids Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Harraps. No hesitation here. I've had my hardcover since 1980s, which contains phrases as well as words, and recently bought a current paperback to use with the French class I teach. Harraps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I happen to like Bantam's New College. It is small enough to carry around, but contains lots of words I couldn't find in Larousse's paperback dictionary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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