Customer Reviews

The Oxford Picture Dictionary English/Polish: English-Polish Edition (The Oxford Picture Dictionary Program)

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

 

 

A picture dictionary can be a great tool for language-learners, giving access to details that words alone can't get at as quickly or elegantly. Oxford's illustrated Italian-English dictionary is an example of some of the best work this type of volume can do. The pictures label specific parts of machines and scenes in a depth that's really useful. On the other hand, the Polish-English volume clearly falls short of the mark. Its first and greatest sin is that it often gives the plural rather than the nominative singular form of Polish nouns, so it's often impossible to determine the gender of the noun. Second, it's clearly a generic volume made to be recycled into many languages at minimal cost. Third, the pictures are nowhere near as detailed as those in the Italian-English volume (which isn't made from the 'generic' mold). The pictures look like they come out of the "See Dick Run" school--this volume just isn't up to snuff for someone seriously interested in studying Polish. Finally, many of the "helpful" phrases associated with various vocabulary topics are given only in English.

If you're studying Polish and looking for a serious learning tool, keep looking. This isn't it. If you're Polish studying English, some of these criticisms obviously don't apply, but it's still not a great dictionary.

Have you ever wanted to learn Polish, and had no idea where to start? Or have you been studying for a while, but there are certain basic words that you never really learned or remember? Then this is the book for you! Full of colorful images and great details, this Polish-English dictionary surpasses any other one I have seen. And I even use it to helo teach English. Well worth the money spent!