Kernerman Dictionary News • Number 12 • July 2004
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Milon-Kis Ariel
Milon-Kis
Ariel [Ariel Pocket Dictionary]
was compiled in response to concerns of teachers and families from the south
of Israel, who wanted an up-to-date, learner-friendly Hebrew dictionary,
which will be aimed explicitly at present-day young pupils including new
immigrants. This need arose because the existing school dictionaries were
generally viewed as out-of-date, offering sloppy definitions, using archaic
language, and lacking current words and meanings. To
achieve the goal of creating this modern Hebrew learning tool, we established
a competent editorial team consisting of experienced educators and linguists
as well as professional specialists. In cooperation with a group of teachers,
parents and students, we studied the specific requirements from such a
dictionary, in relation to what was really necessary for the pupils at school
and at home. This school dictionary was conceived as a first step in a larger
dictionary project, having its own lexicographic database sources developed
in relation to the target audience. We
decided to focus, in particular, on the following subject areas: flora and
fauna, youth life, sports, civics and state institutes, communications,
computers and technology, geography and history (particularly of Israel),
literature, Judaism, loan words, current events and economics. We wanted to
include old words besides modern ones, but to define them briefly and
clearly, in a modern way. The
dictionary is arranged in straightforward alphabetical order, according to
the first letter of the word, no matter what the Hebrew root is. The verbs
are presented in the traditional way – based on the model of the past tense
masculine singular. The entries include only definitions, not examples of
usages, but they are often exemplified by the sub-entires. Vocalized spelling
is used, in accordance with the rules of the Academy of the Hebrew Language.
There are illustrations, for further emphasis or clarification of certain
entries, and in order to make the book more lively and attractive. The total number of entries includes 14,000 words and 4,000 phrases, of which as many as 3,000 appear for the first time in a Hebrew dictionary, for example: Alzheimer’s (disease), anorexia, Intifada, Eurovision, Druzi [Druse], ħashman [cardinal], divkit [sticker], ħor ba-'ozon [hole in the ozone], duty-free, telemarketing, tampon, home'opatia [homeopathie], alpaka, ħetsion [median], štrudel [the symbol @, officially krukhit]. Milon-Kis Ariel
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