I am heading off for an Italian language course and am looking for the best "pocket" or small dictionary to take with me. (I don't really need it to do double duty as a phrase book.) I would like the most complete one I can find. Suggestions?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
I've been using the Berlitz Italian Pocket Dictionary for my Italian studies, and I quite like it. It's tiny, so a true pocket dictionary that would best be supplemented by a larger dictionary. I find the text clear and easy to read, especially because the words are in blue with the definitions in black to help distiguish them. It has English-Italian in the back for when you need to go the other way, and while it doesn't have all words, it has most of the ones I've needed! (35,000 total)
I also like that it identifies the gender of the words where appropriate, although it does NOT list the article (il, la, gli). But then again, none of the small dictionaries I looked at did.
Let us know how you like the language course!
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
I've always been happy with my Langensheidt pocket dictionary which I've had for about 15 years and have used on multiple trips. I've noticed the new ones are about twice as thick as my old one (more words I guess).
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Terri, I used the Oxford Italian Mini Dictionary when I took my first course. It's quite small but also quite comprehensive. The print is also small, but not too hard to read.
I'd be interested to know where you're taking the Italian course? We don't have an Instructor in this area any more, and I'd really like to continue with my studies (and hopefully become fully fluent).
Good luck with your studies!