About English Dictionaries (British & American)
To British,
１．Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (5th Edition)
２．Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (7th Edition)
Which is relatively more preferable for non-English speakers?
To Americans,
１． The American Heritage College Dictionary（４th Edition）
２． Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary（１１th Edition）
Which is relatively more "preferable" for native English speakers?
Thank you!
１．Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (5th Edition)
２． Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary（１１th Edition）
Thanks a lot, Tom *, it's very helpful.
I've just read through your article, and found Oxford Advanced wasn't recommended.
Actually Longman is always my favourite, as you suggested, we could get another dictionary, either Collins or Cambridge, but not either Oxford or Cambridge (Collins)?
BTW, excuse me, one more question please, after I get 2 advanced learners' English dictionary (for non-native English speakers), what kind of British (not American edition) dictionary for English native speakers should I buy? <Concise Oxford English Dictionary>? or what else? Thanks again.
I like Cambridge Advanced Learner's dic., and the new M W Learner's dic.
Both of them show the cot/caught merged pronunciation (to /A/).
Antimoon made a review about English dictionaries and Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 2009 wins . Do you agree? I want a dictionary that is good for both English English and American English.Also did you try the Longman DVD? Is it as faulty as Antimoon says in the review?. I have no money to buy two dictionaries, only one, so what do you think?.
I would recommend Longman Dictionary of American English and MW Learner's Dictionary for American English. For British English: Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
Tianjiner, I think the OED is the best (though expensive) for British English, but why do you think you need a dictionary for native speakers?
Milton,
The merged pronunciation is one of the reasons why I don't like them. You would be hard pressed to find speakers in American media who pronounce "bot" the same way as "bought". It is simply not a feature of General American pronunciation. I don't know why these two dictionaries decided to promote this particular variation of American pronunciation.
In addition, for those speakers who merge the two vowels, [a:] does not seem to be the right symbol.
You would be hard pressed to find speakers in American media who pronounce "bot" the same way as "bought". It is simply not a feature of General American pronunciation.
//
This is simply not true.
Most accents close to General American (Western US, Central Ohio, Florida, Vermont) are low back merged. Check your facts.
I don't what you mean by ''American media''. I only have access to Hollywood production, and most actors are cot/caught merged because Californian accent is considered prestigious even by people born Back East (like NYC native Brooke Shields:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O2UG7JnJTk
).
Tom*, a friend of mine suggested that I should get a dictionary for English native speakers. And I was wondering how you think about Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, compared with Cambridge Advanced and Collins Advanced. Thanks!
I'm not Tom, but I have the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. It's enough for advanced learners, but not enough for those who want to edge closer to the real level of good educated speakers of English. I wouldn't use it as a "scrabble" dictionary, for example. I use Merriam Webster.
Scrabble is a word game with tiles that some people play. Some people play it online.
At some point, you should move toward using what native speakers use.
Tom, can you present clips of people pronouncing "bot" and "bought" in what you consider the "normal" American pronunciation?
