Customer Reviews

Harper Collins Italian College Dictionary

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3 star:		(1)
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If all you want is to translate the written word then any old dictionary will do. However, if you want to be able to pronounce the translation then this is the one to buy! I have 3 Italian/English Dictionaries and this is the only one that actually offers a pronunciation guide as well as alternate translations depending on what you are really trying to say. Highly recommend this text, even my perfectionistic husband is pleased with this book.

I bought this dictionary a few years ago, when I started studying Italian, and I found that it was excellent. Now, after reaching an intermediate level, I still consider it is outstanding, but I need to combine it with an Italian-Italian dictionary (I bought "Il Nuovo Zingarelli Minore Vocabolario Della Lingua Italiana") in order to obtain the results I desire.

The "Harper Collins Italian College Dictionary" is a wonderful tool, that will help you to achieve your aim of learning Italian. To start with, it is a fully bilingual dictionary, from beginning to end: even the instructions regarding how to use it are both in Italian and in English. Secondly, this edition has been revised and updated in the year 2000, and many entries have been added. For instance, now you can find explanations (in English and Italian) about what means "eco - friendly" or "virtual reality".

What is more, the pronunciation of the words is pointed out to the reader, using the International Phonetic Alphabet. However, that is not what I found more useful. My favorite part in this dictionary was the section where you can find examples of formal and informal letters, job applications and curriculum vitaes. Particular attention is also payed in that section to essay writing. The authors promise that you'll find "extended examples demonstrating techniques for structuring, developing and concluding a reasoned argument", and they are telling the truth. Needless to say, the section is also in both languages, so you can use it to learn how to write better in Italian and in English. Your teacher is highly likely to be pleasantly surprised, and you'll realise that your homework is quite easier.

Finally, another of the features of this dictionary that I liked is that it puts together phrases you can say in different situations, for example phrases adequate for suggestions, advice, offers, requests, comparisons, opinions, obligation, agreement, likes and dislikes, approval and disapproval, obligation and permission. The translation from one language to the other is not always literal, because the authors wanted to preserve the meaning of the phrases. They say that they know that "putting one's ideas into another language is apt to be an awkward and frustrating process, resulting in clumsy constructions and a distorted version of what one wants to say", and they have tried to remedy that, by releasing this dictionary.

On the whole, I heartily recommend this dictionary to both the beginner and intermediate student of Italian. So far, I haven't reached the advanced level, but I have the suspicion that I'll find it useful even then. If you can, also buy an Italian-Italian dictionary, because it will complement this dictionary beautifully...

Belen Alcat

I bought this dictionary as an aid for my beginners Italian class and I find it to be wonderful! It contains up-to-date entries as well as large enough print so you can see everything without having to squint. Its worth every penny! There is also a section in the middle to help you write a proper letter in Italian, and there's also a Verb and Abbreviation guide. The entire dictionary is bilingual, even the "how to use this dictionary" part is English and Italian! The price is right, you can't go wrong!

This is the first substantial Ital/Eng dicitonary to use the International Phonetic Alphabet in its Italian section. Most previous dictionaries have some sort of arcane system of pronunciation with a "dot for an open vowel" or a "cedille for a voiced consonant." This dictionary is invaluable to singers and students of voice who must continually be on the alert for which e and o vowels are open or closed! Very highly recommended.

I think I have about 10 Italian/English dictionaries and this is by far the best one I have. It is not a carry w/you on vacation dictionary. It is a desktop reference for the hardcore user/translator. Very useful if you are learning the language as well.

I love this source for the native English speaker beginning Italian. However, as I am advancing to poetry writing and more extensive reading, many words I encounter are not available. Clearly, the unabridged version would be the next step. Also, an Italian language dictionary is needed (where no English is used), so that the more advanced language concepts can become clear.

Again, as a beginning student I recommend this. I believe having sources for a wide range of terms readily available is vital to developing a PERSONAL (and therefore more interesting and useful) vocabulary for speaking and writing in any language.

Thank you for having this forum available.

Of all the Italian-English (desk) dictionaries now available that I have examined, the Harper Collins is by far the best: most comprehensive, easy to use, and up-to-date; esp. valuable are the detailed subsections (highlighted in grey) that give a host of expressions based on the same verb, adverb, or noun.

This is one of the best reference companions you can buy. If you read through the definitions carefully, you will pick up a ton of grammar along the way. I use it constantly.

THis big dictionary is the perpetual 2nd choice in our household: it is clumsy to find the right word, somewhat out of date, and poorly covers slang. So we only use it when we know we must wander in it in frustration.

Tepidly recommended. Oxford dictionaries are far better.

Excellent book and excellent price. Should take less time to receive the items.
I encourage everyone to buy it !!!