This visual dictionary employs more than 6,000 full-color pictures to illustrate a vast array of objects and their corresponding names in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. More than 35,000 terms are grouped into 17 broad subjects ("Animal Kingdom," "Communications and Office Automation" "Society," etc.) and range from technical terminology such as
dew point, moraine, and
tyrannosaur to everyday words such as
doorknob and
waffle iron. The authors, Corbeil, sociolinguist and specialist in comparative terminology, and Archambault, specialist in applied linguistics, address both the academic (such as heraldic symbols) and the practical (such as street signs). Terms not only include types of objects, such as the more than 20 distinct places to sit (
bar stool, bench, love seat, ottoman, sofa, etc.) but also provide names for specific components of such objects (
apron, seat, stile, etc.). The illustrations are crisp and extremely detailed and are printed on glossy white stock. Researchers can access terms by browsing through color-tabbed pages that indicate the different topical subsections or by consulting one of the five language-specific indexes.
The only other reference comparable to this is DK's 2002 publication, the Five-Language Visual Dictionary. Although the DK offering features full-color photographs, it is considerably less comprehensive, presenting 1,600 illustrations defining 10,000 terms in about 400 pages. In comparison, Firefly runs 1,092 pages. One drawback to the current work is its small dimensions. Pages measure about seven by eight inches, necessitating the use of a relatively small font for the definitions. This is a minor concern, however. Where else are researchers going to find a complete listing of all the elements of the periodical table in five different languages compiled in one place? Irresistible for browsers, serviceable as either a basic visual dictionary or thesaurus, and of immense value to second-language learners, this is recommended for high-school, public, and academic collections. Kathleen McBroom
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
[The Top 20: Books] Vivid illustrations draw you into this clever compendium. (Amanda Armstrong
Real Simple 20080101)
[Starred Review:] Wow! This book is simply amazing -- visually stunning, rich with information, and overflowing with detail. (Manya Chylinski
Library Journal 20050515)
Selected by Library Journal as one of the Best Reference Sources for 2004. (Brian E. Coutts
Library Journal )
A valuable tool to expand young minds. (
Nashville Parent )
Irresistible for browsers, serviceable as either a basic visual dictionary or thesaurus, and of immense value to second-language learners. (Kathleen McBroom
Booklist )
