Arabic-L:TRANS:Dictionaries Query

[Dilworth B. Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Mon 12 Nov 2001
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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1) Subject: Dictionaries Query

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1)
Date:  12 Nov 2001
From: "Timothy A. Gregory" <tgregory at tarjema.com>
Subject: Dictionaries Query

I'm taking a class in Arabic translation right now, and since I've been
doing Arabic->English translation for quite some time, they've decided
to focus on English->Arabic for my studies, and I find myself needing
newer or better dictionaries.

Right now I have four English->Arabic dictionaries, though only three
really count:

1) The Oxford English-Arabic Dictionary of Current Usage
2) The Concise Oxford English-Arabic Dictionary (this is a subset of
terms from the above)
3) «”ÂË‹¦Ý’«Â˲ݫʓ”ͳ͂‹»ÍÝ1985ÝAl-Mawrid English-Arabic Dictionary
4) Computer Dictionary English/Arabic - Arabic/English from AL-ALHRAM
Commercial Press, 1987

I also have the Arabic->English Mawrid and Hans Wehr fourth edition.

The Oxford is a great dictionary, but it's too small - not enough terms.
Maybe they'll make a bigger one someday... The Mawrid is a good one,
too, but a lot of what I get out of it feels too formal, or the Arabic I
get out of it doesn't quite fit the context I'm working in. I also use
Sakhr's dictionary on-line, and Word 2002's translation dictionary as
electronic references.

Using these dictionaries I can get through a lot of text, but I'm really
interested to know what other dictionaries are out there, and what you
would recommend I buy. Right now I'm looking for general language, but
recommendations for technical/computer, political/military and business
topics would be welcome.

I'd also love to hear any reviews of CD ROM dictionaries for the PC (for
Arabic enabled versions of Windows, currently I'm using Windows XP)
which would make it easier for me to work on translations anywhere. I
love my laptop because I can use it on the bus on the way back and forth
to work, set it up on my desk during lunch and so on, but it's not very
convenient to spread out three or four dictionaries in the same places.

Any suggestions for reference works on Arabic grammar would be very
welcome, as well!! I'm currently working from my notes, textbooks and
Muhammad Abdul-Rauf's "Arabic for English Speaking Students". I'm sure
there are better books to use as reference (in Arabic or English, either
will be great) than what I've got. I'd be especially interested in
manuals of style, again in either language.

Thanks for your help!

--tag

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End of Arabic-L:  12 Nov 2001