Cape Town - “Googling it” has become the norm to find out more about any topic we are curious about, but when trying to understand the meaning of a word, it may not be the best option for schoolchildren.
While it may seem like Google has all the answers, when it comes to the meaning of words, Google can often leave children confused.
According to Dr Phillip Louw, publishing manager at Oxford University Press South Africa, the language used on Google is often not suitable for a child’s age group, education phase or literacy level.
“Sometimes even simple objects or concepts such as ‘fridge’ or ‘rake’, are explained in language only adults will understand,” said Louw.
Louw used the example of the top Google definition of “rake” to demonstrate the difference. A “rake”, according to Google, is “an agricultural implement with teeth or tines for gathering cut grass, hay, or the like or for smoothing the surface of the ground”.
“Difficult or unfamiliar words in this definition would most likely not help children understand the meaning of ‘rake’.”
In contrast, the definition of ‘rake’ in the Oxford South African School Dictionary is “a garden tool with a long handle and a row of teeth at the bottom, used for collecting leaves or making the ground flat”.
Louw also mentioned the need for the use of bilingual dictionaries, because South Africa’s official African languages have very little or no relation to English. This makes it difficult for speakers of these languages to figure out the meaning of English words on their own.
Research has shown that bilingual dictionaries have had a positive impact on both learners and teachers of English at South African schools.
Dictionaries are also useful when learning maths. Louw explained that terms and concepts used in maths may be the same worldwide, but the way in which this is explained differs from country to country. The language level also changes from one education phase to another.
“It makes sense to get your child a local school dictionary appropriate for the phase they are in – usually at least a Foundation Phase dictionary to begin with, and switching to a Grade 4–9 and eventually to a Grade 10-12 dictionary,” said Louw.
“There’s a great variety of dictionaries available. Some even support very early learning from age 5. Parents who want their kids to get a literacy head start could consider these.”
“For those who aren’t first language speakers of English, thematically arranged bilingual dictionaries (tying in with Life Skills themes) such as the Oxford First Bilingual Dictionary series can provide a fun, easily accessible first step in a child’s journey towards functional bilingualism,” added Louw.
Dictionaries available for Foundation Phase pupils cover the base vocabulary needed for everyday communication, while also covering the key terminology required in language, life skills and maths curricula for this phase, and are gaining popularity in South African schools.
You can look out for a dictionary that is best for you at your local bookstore or shop online at www.loot.co.za.
Giveaway: Stand a chance to win one of five hampers from Oxford University Press, including two school dictionaries from OUP’s South African range, a school bag and a water bottle. Email WAWORDS in the subject line, with your name to [email protected]. The competition closes on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Terms and conditions apply.
