IS ONE DICTIONARY BETTER THAN ANOTHER?*

Not all dictionaries are created equal. When you first go looking for a dictionary, you may be surprised to find that there are many different dictionaries available. Not only do they come in hard cover or paperback, but also they vary widely in number of entry words, size of print, kinds of information included, and cost. Use what you learn in this module to help you decide what kind of dictionary you want to own. Consider buying a hard cover dictionary for your home. One good dictionary can last several lifetimes. You might also want to have a lightweight paperback version to carry around with you.

Two of the best known dictionaries of the English language are the Oxford English Dictionary, sometimes called the OED, and the Miriam-Webster Dictionaries. The OED is published in Britain and focuses on the spellings and meanings of words as they are used in the British Isles although it does include references to the way words are used in North America. On the other hand, the Webster dictionaries focus on the way words are used in North America.

This poses some problems for Canadians. Our next door neighbour, the source of much of our news and entertainment, is the United States. In many cases, we use language as the Americans do, but in other cases, we have kept some British usage and spelling. In general, it probably doesn’t matter whether you use the British or American form in your own writing so long as you try to be consistent. For example, if you use the British spelling for “colour”, rather than the American “color”, then you should use the British spelling for “honour” and “flavour” and others. Similarly, you should use the British spelling of “cancellation” and “traveller” rather than the American “cancelation” and “traveler”. Most dictionaries show both spellings, but place the one they prefer first.

Dictionaries of Canadian English are also available. The English language is very flexible(6), and over the years, Canadians have created their own words and expressions to describe people, places, things, and actions they meet in their everyday lives. Canadian English is now accepted as its own “special brand” of the English language. Canadian dictionaries present spelling, pronunciations, and meanings of words and expressions as they are used in various parts of Canada.

6. changes easily