Customer Reviews

Czechoslovakia Concise Dictionary

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I purchased this dictionary years ago just prior to relocating to Prague. It was one of the few such dictionaries available at the time for English-speaking Czech language students. I found the book to be woefully inadequate in the number of words, examples of usage, and grammar points given for each entry. I have a rather large collection of dictionaries now in both the Czech and Russian languages and Trnka's book was one of the worst I'd ever seen. I ultimately disposed of the book. In fact, most Hippocrene language books I've seen in bookstores are of very poor quality. As a linguist, I would never recommend them. One would be much better off purchasing Czech published dictionaries as I eventually was able to do.

This dictionary is OK for a tourist who will use it to read a few store signs and order a beer, but it IS somewhat unreliable. Since there is so little else available, though, people will probably continue buying it. If you can wait until you get to Prague (or another big town), you'll find better and cheaper dictionaries there.

Annoying font, confusing layout, highly abridged. This book is supposed to be a reference tool, but it seems like the publishers decided to try to make it look "hip" by giving it a stylized old-fasioned typewriter font and putting the entries in all lower-case. You will find about as much content in a phrasebook (though in a different layout.) For in-depth translations, definately go with one of the larger (pricier) hardcovers.

I happen to think this book is extremely helpful and handy. Its size is perfect for throwing into my backpack for my weekend trips, and I use it constantly to communicate better with my boyfriend's parents, who are from Morava and speak next to no English. They also think it's a good book and use it as frequently as I. It's a great book to use in conjunction with Naughton's book (Naughton's book is a little light on phonics); as someone who loves language, I realize that no dictionary in any language is going to be perfect or complete. I've had my copy for three months now and I've had no problems with the spine, ink, or any other part of the book and I use it just about every day.

This is such a bad dictionary I am surprised it is still being bought. Many essential words are lacking, and on more than one occassion have I faced an incorrect translation in this book. I have to agree with the other reviewer - buy a dictionary when you get to the Czech Republic. There are about seven or eight other concise English-Czech Czech-English dictionaries to choose from, and any of them are better than Hippocrene's.

The spine in this "dictionary" broke the first time I opened it. The typeface sucks, as does the ink quality. The entries are unrevealing. The information presented is extremely basic and not particularly useful. I wouldn't even keep it in my back pocket as a handy reference because the general lack of any organizational format beyond the listing of words in alphabetical order and the fact that it's falling apart after two openings do not render it especially "handy."

This is a small dictionary that I have used extensively in my long struggle with the Czech language. It's small enough and cheap enough to be carried around easily and gives you a ton of words to learn whenever you get the chance. I use my huge Czech printed dictionaries for more intensive home study and take this book around wherever I go. I recommend it along with other works by this author. (By the way, other reviewers really need to loosen up, what do you really expect out of a small abridged dictionary that can be had in a used English language book store for kc50?)

If you really want a great Czech-English Dictionary you will have to go to the Czech Republic. I found that this particular dictionary did not have many useful words and that some of the information was inaccurate. Over in the Czech Republic they have a great pocket-sized dictionary that they sell in all book stores. Those are the better ones.

In my quest to learn Czech, I have now purchased four pocket English/Czech dictionaries, this being the last of the four. I have now cast the other three away. This book is obviously directed to native English speakers trying to learn Czech. The pronunciation guide is very easy to use. My only complaint about the book is the "typewriter" script it uses. I would prefer seeing more of a standard type style, such as is used in the other Hippocrene books I own. As a side note, I am impressed with all my Hippocrene language books.

This is a VERY basic dictionary. It is set with a single simple font and doesn't have much help if any for common phrases or usage. Just basic word with a list of translated words. It is nothing close to what I have for Spanish. It is better than nothing and cheap.