Why don't standard English or Spanish, or English-Spanish dictonaries put words in categories?

Question

It would be really helpful for vocab learning. And they could still alphabetize them in each individual section.. So why don't they do this? Am i going to have to make my own dictionary just to lead the example?

Answer 1

You have a great idea, but I do think then, that two dictionarys may be required.

I'd bet that this would sell. What you have come to understand is that from our own childhood we learn our language in "categories", ie Family conversation, Travel, in sub categories, ie, transportation, restaurants and food, shopping, -automobile parts, etc, , entertainment, business dealings, tech, machinery, etc etc etc

You have a great idea for learning any foreign language......a step at a time relating to current circumstances.
Just do it. It will take time, but on a spread sheet, EXCEL, you can do it from an existing dictionary.
Kudos

Answer 2

It actually used to be that way! For the most common use of a dictionary, alphabetical makes the most sense for a multitude of reasons (words have too many topics, some words are hard to put in a topic, and the myraid reasons listed in other answers.) For the student, however,there are many study aids out there that do approach learning by topics, though they are not official dictionaries.

Wikipedia has this to say, "Today, dictionaries of most languages with alphabetic and syllabic writing systems list words in alphabetical or some analogous phonetic order.

In some languages, words are grouped together according to their true or purported origin ("root"), and these roots are arranged alphabetically. If English dictionaries were arranged like this, the words "import", "export", "support", "report", "porter", "port", "important" and "transportation" would all be listed under "port". This method works has the advantage that all words of a common origin are listed together, but the disadvantage is that you have to know how to dissassemble all prefixes of a word before you look it up. Some Sanskrit dictionaries and all Arabic dictionaries work like this.

Dictionaries of languages using ideographic writing systems, such as Chinese and Japanese, may be sorted either according to one of numerous schemes based on the component parts of the characters (number of strokes, overall shape, or pronunciation of each letter), or according to the pronunciation of the full words when spelled phonetically. Due to the unfamiliarity of Chinese speakers with phonetic spellings, phonetic sorts are particularly unsuitable for Chinese dictionaries, while the fluency of Japanese speakers with kana makes kana spelling the most common and convenient method to sort Japanese dictionaries.

The first English alphabetical dictionary came out in 1604 and alphabetical ordering was a rarity until the 18th century. Before alphabetical listings, dictionaries were organized by topic, i.e. a list of animals all together in one topic.

Answer 3

I think what you are looking for is called a picture dictionary. They are very helpful for beginning students or for people who are teaching themselves because words are grouped into categories. Like all the clothing is on one page, all the things you find in an office is on another page, etc.

I did a search at Amazon.com and there is a link to one below.

Answer 4

You can use a dictionary to look up a word that you don't know, and if you don't know the word you wouldn't know what category to look in. Dictionaries are primarily reference books, not vocabulary teachers.

I am curious about which categories you are talking about. Actually, the practice of teaching grammar in categories (depending on the category) is somewhat questionable.

Answer 5

Sara's got the right Idea. When I was learning how to speak Spanish, I was constantly looking up words that I didn't know. Like...left and right. If you saw 'izquierda' and 'derecha' on a page and didn't know what the heck they meant, how would you know to look in the 'directions' category? Dictionaries are for looking up stuff you don't know, not as a textbook.

Answer 6

I've never heard of a dictionary arranged in that manner, but if you think it might work, why not draw up a sample and take it to one of the companies who print bi-lingual dictionaries. You might be on to something!
On the other hand, you might find out that it simply isn't workable. Either way, you will have resolved the question to your complete satisfaction.
Good Luck
Buena Suerta
Bonne Chance!

Answer 7

The alphabet system is acknowledged worldwide. If you change the format to suit one group of individuals, it could serve to confuse the rest. What would be next, different languages, forget it, too much printing, too many books.

Answer 8

Probably because if you are unfamiliar with a word and want to know what it means how are you going to know what category it would be in? Alphabetizing is just easier, I guess.

Answer 9

Please clarify what you mean by category. Give examples.