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Dictionary
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Hi there,
I was about to go to the store, any ole one like Walmart or Borders, and get us a dictionary. However, I also have seen Vision Forum selling vintage dictionaries and was wondering if it is worth it to spend the extra money. Do modern dictionaries have terrible words in them that vintage ones don’t? Any modern dictionaries you can get in the store a good choice? Thank you!
The Webster’s 1828 dictionary that Vision Forum sells is worth every penny, IMO.
You can see some of the content and differences by looking up online here http://1828.mshaffer.com/
Look up a word like “marriage” here than look it up in a modern dictionary.
The language in the 1828 is so rich and based on scriptural principles, so if that is something that’s important to you, it’s definitely worth it.
Nanci
I second that, we have the Vision Forum one and it is superior in every way – we have modern ones as well, and it was eye opening to see the changes since the 1812 version. Linda
Oh my word, I did look up marriage and there is a huge difference. It actually made me sad. Thank you for the opinions and we will order the Vision Forum one.I will also add that we have the 1828 Webster’s dictionary and we LOVE it. What a beautiful dictionary. It’s shocking at times to go to any other. I highly reccommend spending the extra money on the 1828 version. You can also order it through CBD. It is a well loved book in our home, and will be for many years!
I love the Webster’s 1828 also–it’s an incredible resource. However, I also must put in a plug for a more modern dictionary as well. Your kids aren’t living in 1828, and if they want to understand modern usage, vocabulary, and pronunciation, then you’ll want a normal modern dictionary as well in your home. If we all talked only like what the 1828 dictionary has, we’re going to sound awfully funny, and in fact might at times be incomprehensible to others. IMO the best is American Heritage. No, it’s not perfect, but if your kids need to know what “anodyze” means or the most common modern pronunciation of “research” or something like that, the 1828 is only going to take you so far. You can keep it up on a shelf and use it under supervision if you want to limit exposure to “those words” but one ought to have one in the house anyway.
Good point Bookworm, that is why we have one of each in the house – the comparisons make interesting reading and also we felt they would need the modern usage for college and life.
Bookworm- Good point. We do have an older (1970’s version of Webster’s that I bought at a thrift store) for when we need modern words. You could also just use an online dictionary.
Something I am doing for my two oldest (15 and 13) for their “copywork” this year is to have them choose one word from Webster’s 1828 and copy the definition. We will do one word a week, starting with something that begins with the letter “A” then start the alphabet again on the 27 week.
Nanci
You can view/search/etc the 1828 online for FREE at http://www.1828-dictionary.com/ I use this instead of paying big bucks for a paper version.
Thank you ladies so much for your input! I was looking on Amazon and a couple of other sites comparing prices of the 1828 dictionary and there is a compact edition availble for about $25 less than the big hardback one but I am wondering if it is worth it because it says it cuts out some stuff. The write up says: To make Webster’s monumental 1828 dictionary available at a more affordable price, this new edition has been carefully prepared in a proprietary compact format: All of the words, definitions, and examples have been preserved, but the explanations of word origins have been omitted to save space, as has Webster’s lengthy technical introduction. Scripture references have been standardized in modern format, and many abbreviations have been spelled out for greater understanding. Also, for the first time since the book’s original publication, the text has been newly designed and typeset; the clear, sturdy Charter typeface makes the text highly readable in spite of its small size.
Those of you who have the hard back, are the things they cut out, in your opinion, too valuable to go for the less expensive version?
Also, I saw The New England Primer and The Original Blue Back Speller. Does anyone have these and what is your opinion of them? Thank you!
I use the online version, too. (http://1828.mshaffer.com/) I’m trying to limit our expanding book piles as we’re hoping to downsize and I can’t imagine where I’m going to put all the books we already have…LOL
OK. I can see needing to save money. BUT part of the real value of a truly good dictionary lies in the word origins. The best of the best at this, of course, is the Oxford English, but the 1828 is still pretty good. If you are going to make the investment anyway, I’d go ahead and get the real deal. What this is looks like TINY print–this may not be an issue for you yet, but when you get my age it will be, lol, and when your kids are teens you may well wish you’d gotten the word origins as well. If you really can’t do the whole thing right now, then consider using the online until you save up enough.
I agree with bookworm. I would save your money until you have enough to buy the book itself. I love looking up words and seeing the word origins as well as the definition.
Hi there,
Thank you ladies for your help! I was thinking I would go for the real deal one, but just wanted some opinions about it. Also, anyone have the The New England Primer and The Original Blue Back Speller? Those worthy investments for a home library as well or have you found something else you use or prefer in those areas? Thanks again for all your wisdom!
I too agree with Bookworm. I had the Oxford already in the house, a huge tome that I got in England when we lived there and it is a wonderful dictionary, I then had a Websters newer addition that I had bought when I was working. I saved though to buy the 1828 version and I am so glad I did – I will never regret it. The girls and I have had a lot of fun comparing words, meanings, usage etc – it has been beneficial. So if I were you I would save up. Linda
Oh my word, I did look up marriage and there is a huge difference. It actually made me sad. Thank you for the opinions and we will order the Vision Forum one.
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