How to use the dictionary when learning the Spanish Language

Frequently, we Spanish teachers encounter students who suffer from a condition known as “dictionary addiction”. I personally like to call it Dictionary-Itis: the unhealthy dependence upon a book as a flotation device in a sea of words.

In my experience of giving Spanish classes, I have come across this type of student many a time. I would like to reflect for a few minutes on a trick that has worked rather well for me over the years. I shall explain - we are going to start off with a very simple phrase containing a simile. This phrase can be used in conversation when referring to emotional topics:

“Mi abuelo era como un árbol.”

Apparently, this Spanish phrase is very easy to translate into the different languages of the students; most work it out effortlessly within a couple of seconds.

“My grandfather was like a tree” in English

“ Mon grand-père était comme un arbre“ in French 

“Mijn grootvader was als een boom” in Dutch

“Mio nonno era come un albero” in Italian

“Meu avô era como uma árvore” in Portuguese

and “Mein Großvater war wie ein Baum“ in German.

This is all very well, but now comes the question: What was my grandfather like?

The problem arises when we analyse the connotations of the word "tree". In Northern Europe, the abstract image of a tree is associated with one of the most common plants of this climate: the oak tree. In Nordic countries, pine trees and fir trees are the kings of the countryside. In North America, we can find reference to a redwood tree or a maple. In Japan, the cliche image corresponds with a fruit tree in bloom. In the mediteranean, an olive tree probably appears; and in the tropics we find a palm tree. Therefore...

• A resident of Northern Europe will tell us that their grandfather was big, strong and protective
• A North American would probably say that he was tall and impressive looking...
• A Japanese person would talk about the asthetic elements of their grandfather...
• A Greek or an Andalusian would imagine an old, bent over person, but they would also associate them with wealth (the image of the olive tree, producer of oil, “green gold”...)
• A person from the Canary Islands would see their grandfather as someone tall and slim and very flexible.

Baring these points in mind, we can better understand that a dictionary cannot always help us understand the meaning of a word fully. We need to contextualise a word correctly in order to be led to the key information. This is when intercultural information and the need to be culturally involved in the target language becomes apparent. Participating in immersion courses is arguably the best way to achieve a good level of integration.

Later, we’ll dig a little deeper into what dictionaries do offer, and how we can advise our students on the most appropriate ones to use at each stage of their academic journeys.