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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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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
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1380
Chadick says:
That's a cool and brilliant idea. It will definitely help the chidren have a better understanding of the words.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:39 PM EST
Student
Points: 206
Deeann Black says:
That is great. Some words are easier for younger children to understand if they are put in a text that they are familiar with.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:40 PM EST
Squib
Points: 146
~Mrs. Manda Radcliffe says:
That's good for the younger readers. They didn't exactly give the meaning though, did they?
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:43 PM EST
Sarcastic Sally
Points: 5088
Lucius's Luscious Lady says:
Score on a huge level.
Almost makes me want to be seven again.
almost
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 613
Valéria says:
haha Thats cool! I think its a wonderful idea! Plus shows how important Harry Potter actually is!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 895
Arethusa the Erkling says:
Ahhh! genius idea in encouraging kids to expand their vocab...I can see it now, kids reading dictionaries instead of bedtime stories...!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 1:57 PM EST
Witch
Points: 813
harrypotterfan4eva says:
I had no idea what those three words meant. It's a good idea.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:00 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
That's very intresting, but all the words are propper English words. I don't understand why they are not in the dictionary already?
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:02 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1090
Octavian Petronius says:
That is probably one of the ultimate priviledges that a writer can seek out. To have your words referenced in a dictionary is awesome. Maybe soon dictionaries will offer definitions of words found only in HP books!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:04 PM EST
Squib
Points: 164
Denton Barrett Jr. says:
This is great, the words from Harry Potter is being added to the dictionary. Cool! It would help readers understand better. It is also good because Harry Potter is being recognised as more than just a story for entertainment but one for expanding knowlegde, learning of new things, and better understanding.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:08 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 76
lauren23857 says:
That is a really good idea for those children that don't understand a certain word. This way they can learn the word in a way that is fun and that makes learning interesting.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:17 PM EST
Gutter Girl Fabulous
Points: 8707
SamhainWitch7 says:
Oh thats cool. It's great that they are trying to help kids understand words that are harder for them, and doing it on a level that they can relate to.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:18 PM EST
Princess of the Heliopaths
Points: 5276
Ginny Weasly says:
WOW!!! That is a really good idea! I know that the Harry Potter books got my little brother finally reading:)
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:30 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1058
polywolly says:
I knew JKR would take over the world. See, this was only a matter of time... :)
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 704
DiablitoDesdemona says:
That's a great idea. I wouldn't mind learning anything if it was all connected to HP.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:32 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Eva Walker says:
This is a brillant idea now more people will uderstand the words. They should print more book quotes in dictionaries.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1482
*SmoraDora* says:
I think that idea is really good! I didnt even know those words where in there..........hahaha!
Hugs and Kisses
~*~Laura~*~
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Dumbledore's_Ghost says:
Definitely cool that they're adding words to help kids read these books. i've noticed some words in the books that i highly doubted younger children would know/understand. and yet rowling writes so well that everyone would get the gist of what she was saying.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:52 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 420
SoMdHPFan says:
Good for them for realizing that everybody learns more easily when they can do it with books they like (as opposed to books that they have to read).
I think the books in the Harry Potter series are very well written. Even though I'm a grandfather (!!!!!), I very much enjoy them, have read all five of them numerous times, and am anxiously waiting for HBP to come out on the 16th!!!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 2:58 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1894
Hermione5 says:
sounds really great I think and easier to learn and understand as it is interesting and cool.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 3:05 PM EST
Heiress of Gryffindor
Points: 3537
Nienna Narmolanya says:
Awesome!
That sounds super-cool! I want that dictionary. Why couldn't they have dictionaries like that out when I started preporatory school? Oh well, I still get to use them now!
That would be so cool, using Harry Potter references on your vocabulary homework.
Cool!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 3:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 674
Marauder Addict says:
That dictionary sounds awesome! I think it's a great idea! Sometimes when I'm assigned vocabulary homework, and I have to write sentences with the certain words in them: I make all my sentences about Harry Potter! My teacher always comments me on that! YAY!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 3:07 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 371
Mamaille says:
I think it s very nice. Now kids all over the world could understand these words more because it is explain through something the all love...HP.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 3:07 PM EST
Witch
Points: 702
afordanglia says:
Fantastic idea. It was bound to be done sooner or later. JK's such a force in educating children.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 3:17 PM EST
Witch
Points: 870
caraMEL_penguin says:
well... that's very interesting... I think it is a good idea for little children who some times have a hard time connecting big words with everyday life... the things these big dictonary companies think of now days... <33333
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 3:17 PM EST
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