Customer Reviews

Cassell's Spanish & English Dictionary

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A dictionary should demonstrate good lexicographic technique and have an up-to-date-vocabulary. The Cassell's dictionary does neither.

Take a word with multiple meanings each of which which has a different translation, for example, the English word loop: "lazo, gaza, nudo; ojal, presilla, alamar; anillo; recodo, comba, curva, vuelta," etc. (This quote is from the hardcover version, but this version has the same fault) For the English reader writing in Spanish, this is hopelessly inadequate, as the dictionary provides no clue as to which translation to use in which situation. For a Spanish speaker reading in English, this is enough, as the reader can look over the potential translations and choose the one which fits the context. But for the English reader writing in Spanish, this is hopelessly inadequate, as the dictionary gives no clue as to which translation to use in which situation.

Compare the treatment of such a word, loop, for example, in the far superior American Heritage Spanish Dictionary. "(length of line) lazo; (coil) vuelta; (bend) curva; (circular path) vuelta, circuito; (fastener) presilla" etc. Here, the user is given glosses in the native language to assist in identifying the right word for the context. Example sentences are also a tremendous help.

A good dictionary should maintain an up-to-date lexicon, including such cultural and technological additions to the language as "baby sitter," "hostile takeover," "software," "hard drive." But the compilers of the Cassell's have totally neglected this aspect; the lexicon of the work is severely outdated.

Based on the research I did for my Master's thesis, I would recommend Oxford, Larousse, and HarperCollins instead.

For the price, this is a good source. If you are a more advanced spanish-speaker, or speak in a more colloquial form, you won't find many of the words you are looking for. For beginners, it is great.

There is a huge top margin, as well as a huge bottom margin - and in between is this tiny printing. What a waste of paper. Not for anyone in need of reading glasses. Will have to get another one.

It was fine, just it didn't have the word pronouncations next to the meaning! Then my dogs ate it!
Can't read too much of it anymore.