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JULY 1, 2005 at 10:35 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Guardian via Veritaserum
The new edition of the Oxford Primary Dictionary now includes
some Harry Potter references aimed to help seven-to-11-year-olds understand the meanings of words. The new issue includes the words insolent, lounge and haphazardly.
Insolent, adjective - very rude and insulting, quoted from The Prisoner of Azkaban: "Malfoy gave Professor Lupin an insolent stare, which took in the patches on his robes and the dilapidated suitcase."
Haphazardly is explained by a quote from The Chamber of Secrets: "Mrs Weasley was clattering around, cooking breakfast a little haphazardly, throwing dirty looks at her sons as she threw sausages into the frying pan."
And Professor Snape makes malevolent easy: "'A bad idea, Professor Lockhart,' said Snape, gliding over like a large and malevolent bat."
Andy Simpson, a spokesman for Oxford Children's Books said:
All authors use language creatively. Some enjoy playing with words and pushing children with a more stretching, challenging use of language. But the Oxford Primary Dictionary is the first children's dictionary to use real citations taken from a large range of the best of children’s literature.
And its choice of citations from texts children are intimately familiar with, sets a fantastic example for children and helps improve their reading and writing skills. Far from a traditional boring textbook, the Oxford Primary Dictionary is a fun reference book which can form the basis of interactive sessions in class and at home.
The dictionary features hundreds of citations from children's authors including JK Rowling, Philip Pullman and Roald Dahl.
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Professor
Points: 1127
Elrond says:
Hey thats cool, they should have had a dictionary like that out when I was in primary school.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 7:15 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 96
The Half Breed Prince says:
THAT is so great!!! Now young people can understand some hard words easily!!
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 7:54 AM EST
Student
Points: 263
mj kazza says:
Its a goood idiea if i dont say myself.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 7:55 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 53
JK = Genius says:
I think that is a really nice thing to do because J.K. has fans of all ages and sometimes some of them might be forgotten...
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 9:04 AM EST
Witch
Points: 771
Weasley Witch says:
That's such a good idea! Why hasn't someone done that sooner to help me in my English exams?
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 10:43 AM EST
Squib
Points: 136
Georgeous1212 says:
They might think it helps but i cant understand as there is no real explanation.No offence as it is a good idea and all its just im more interested that CHAV has been added than that frankly.
And it is usefull.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 11:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 728
Hermione Double says:
That is so cool.
This, in a sense, is helping children learn to read and expand their vocabulary.
I'm not sur in other countries, but where I live, the vocabulary of children and teenagers are not as big as they once were.
Learning new words and their meaning is always a good thing.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 1:10 PM EST
Headless Hunt Captain
Points: 2887
Dark_Wizard_Chaser says:
This is so neat! What a great way to introduce children to larger words and larger vocabularies but they also get to be inspired by books and authors!
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 1:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 778
stillDUMBLEDORESgirl says:
That's really good because there is a lot of young readers out there.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 1:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 692
FizzingWhizbeez says:
I'm 32 and have often wished I had a dictionary around while reading HP - some of the words J.K.R. uses are just too wonderful to ignore - I plan to go back and reread the books again, but this time with Webster's right beside me ;)
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 4:01 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
That's an awesome idea. I'm sure a lot of young HP fans will appreciate those references, for sure. I know I would, were I that age.
N
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 5:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 902
Potter_Pal says:
It is really a good idea to update the children's dictionary. The Parry Potter books are so good and chalenge you readers to go beyond the average age approriate language. It is nice to see JK's work recognized this way!
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 5:06 PM EST
Student
Points: 271
HermioneCat says:
I remember being at school and saying "how do you spell this word?" and the teacher would say. "Look it up in the dictionary" I used to hate that, because I'd think, if I can't spell it I can't look it up!! hehehehe, I think it's a great idea. Making dictionarys fun!
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 9:17 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2218
annealicious says:
That's so awesome! Well, you've got to put things in the context that people will understand. It's hard enough giving explanations to words for adults, let alone children. It's great that Harry Potter can help them learn and expand their vocabulary.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 10:53 PM EST
Rupert's TRU 1 N'Only
Points: 4419
ImRupertsGurl4Lyfe says:
Actually...I don't really see it helping. I mean kids can interpret those words in many different ways...
Its a good idea, but it may not be all that useful...
Not for little kids anyway.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 11:33 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
sarahpatrick says:
That is a brilliant idea..
kids will learn new words...
good on anyone who came up with this idea..
sarahpat
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 1:49 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 319
DuMont says:
Thats a great idea, i know when i was younger i had some trouble with some words.
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 3:50 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2315
Ovlac says:
That´s a great idea!!! At least people begin to use their brain to teach!!! I think this idea has to be exported to all countries (included mine).
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 6:55 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2315
Ovlac says:
That´s a great idea!!! At least people begin to use their brain to teach!!! I think this idea has to be exported to all countries (included mine).
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 6:56 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2315
Ovlac says:
That´s a great idea!!! At least people begin to use their brain to teach!!! I think this idea has to be exported to all countries (included mine).
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 7:01 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2315
Ovlac says:
That´s a great idea!!! At least people begin to use their brain to teach!!! I think this idea has to be exported to all countries (included mine).
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 7:04 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2315
Ovlac says:
That´s a great idea!!! At least people begin to use their brain to teach!!! I think this idea has to be exported to all countries (included mine).
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 7:35 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2315
Ovlac says:
I´m sorry, I didn´t want to post all that posts.I had some problems with my PC.
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 7:36 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1872
Potter Luver says:
Cool! I remember reading PS and going "WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MEAN???"
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 10:08 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1685
Draco <3 Me says:
HAHAHAHA that is sooooo cool! If they had more references i would so go and buy that dictionary!!!
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 11:21 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 307
Dartsam says:
This is a really great idea. It is a good way to help bring language to where people are.
Posted Jul 4, 2005 at 11:34 AM EST
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