Journal Article

Key Similarities between British and American English Dictionaries

Noorain, Abdarahman Abulgasim Salih, Al-Amin, Mujahid Isam Mohammed Ahmed

2023

Overview

The study aims at evaluating similarities between British and American English dictionaries. The analytical evaluative method was used to conduct the study. Two samples of each British and American English dictionaries were matched and analyzed to explain the similarities between them in pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, style, meaning and illustrative examples. Regarding the similarities between American and British English dictionaries, the study reached into a number of findings the most important of which are that: both types of British and American English dictionaries are similar to a large extent in their sizes. Both are similar in terms of the number of pages covered and the number of headwords defined. British and American English dictionaries are similar in including front-matter, main-body and appendices. All dictionaries are similar in using the entry words and headwords besides the fact that definitions or meanings are given in the same language. And all dictionaries are similar in being either diachronic or synchronic. The study recommends that: EFL learners, interpreters, translators are equally required to be familiar with structures of dictionaries. Translators and interpreter's attention should be drawn to the necessity of recognizing the similarities between British and American English dictionaries in their courses. EFL syllabus should include dictionary skills as part of learning skills, like reading or writing skills. There should be teaching guidelines and activities in the English syllabus or course books to show teachers how to integrate dictionaries into their teaching.

• Publisher: مركز فكر للدراسات والتطوير
• Subject: الدلالات اللغوية / اللغة الإنجليزية / المعاجم اللغوية