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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: 1069
Xenatina says:
I totally agree, there's even some words in the Harry Potter books I don't understand, mainly cause it's British Lingo!
~Katie Bell~
Gryffindor Chaser
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 602
danebabe says:
That's awesome. It would've really came in handy when I was reading the books for the 1st time, which was 4 or 5 years ago, I think.
*Dane Babe*
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 568
Suriet says:
Ja! actually I found HP books as really good english teachers! I lerned a lot reading them... more than in a class: in two moths more than in tree yeras!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:46 AM EST
Professor of Seanology
Points: 5283
Dr. Nicole says:
Clever idea to help younger children understand the meaning of difficult words using examples from the Harry Potter books along with other literary works. I don't know if more people will read the dictionary, but maybe they will read more.
~Nicole
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:50 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2185
Potterfan5 says:
I think this is a great idea, I wish they would have had stuff like this when I was younger, not that I can't use it now, but I think it would have applied more then. Anyway I hope they plan on adding more words, because it's an adroit way to get kids to augment their vocabularies!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:58 AM EST
Witch
Points: 809
~Hermione <3's Ron~ says:
That is the coolest thing i have heard in a long time! I want to get this dictionary, it sounds like it really helps children understand words!
mwa
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:01 PM EST
Witch
Points: 870
CursedForever says:
Interesting. Quite an intelligent idea actually, they should put words from Gareth Nix's in it.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:02 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1357
swiffy says:
That's a great idea!!! I would wanna get that dictionary. But I don't think it'll make kids read and write better, sorry.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:03 PM EST
Witch
Points: 593
hp_rocks_my_world says:
That is soo cool that they are adding references about Harry Potter to a children's dictionary! Anything that will help younger children read more is always an excellent idea! I do wish that was around a few years ago when I started reading HP... hehe
~Alexis
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:05 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Thats sooo cool.... Harry Potter words in a Oxford dictonary.... Thats awsome....
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:09 PM EST
Squib
Points: 172
Jostewan says:
That's so cool! Harry Potter has become so big that it helps kids learn words from the dictionary.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:18 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
Thats a really good idead to bring the words to them in a way they can understand like that.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:28 PM EST
Student
Points: 264
SnitchSeeker1 says:
That seems like a good idea. Showing useage in an understandable way while not being boring. That deffinately would have helped me when I was younger.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:35 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1805
Swimangel57 says:
HOORAY!!! I absolutely love it when they use Harry Potter in the "real world". When I see something like that, it makes my day. HOORAY!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:38 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
This is such a good idea. Now when people look up these words, they will be reminded of Harry Potter. I love Harry Potter! :)
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:42 PM EST
The Last Herald-Mage
Points: 2621
darrrrkwind says:
That sounds like a really cool dictionary! I wish that there had been dictionaries like that when I was little. Actually, they should make more interesting ones for adults! ;-)
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:42 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9744
Heather Fowl says:
Hey, that's actually not a bad idea. It would definately help people learn what words in HP mean, and apply them to real life. And it's not only Harry Potter, but many other children's books.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:47 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Professor Grubbly-Plank says:
I love that they are using current events and books to give examples. It will help the kids understand the word better.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:54 PM EST
Hogwart's Jedi Princess
Points: 3491
Darth Amanda says:
Wow, I just love that they did this using Harry Potter!
That is soo cool! They should put
Muggle in there too!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:56 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1314
Lemon Drop says:
That is a great idea!!!
This will help children who do not understand some of these words and it encourages them to read more.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 12:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 823
jade_eyes says:
That is such a good idea! That way the kids can relate some words that you don't normally use at that age, to a story they love! Woohoo!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:05 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1970
Jekca says:
as long as the words in the new dictionary are real. It would be one thing to have a 'Imaginary Words used in Children's Literature Oxford', but to add fake words to a real language dictionary would just be mean.
But as far as I can tell they did use real words, and I am glad that they have done this. It can encourage kids to branch out, connect language, learn, etc.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:05 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1801
FatMike says:
Wow that is very very cool... I am wondering if i should buy a children´s dictionary!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:07 PM EST
Duchess of Dork
Points: 6749
Mama.Lala says:
Ha, that's cool. Doesn't surprise me, I sorta knew they would add a word or two.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:08 PM EST
Divine Intervention
Points: 2619
PhantomFingers says:
That is SO COOL! I think it will benefit children. I believe the best way to understand a word that you dont know is to hear it i a sentance!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:09 PM EST
Witch
Points: 956
harryluvsginny! says:
That is awsome. I didn't know what those words meant either but i do now so i don't really need the dictionary :). But it is a wonderful idea for other kids.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:24 PM EST
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