Dictionaries without borders: expanding the limits of the academy

Abstract

Many people imagine dictionaries to be bulky tomes that are hard to lift and are only useful for quick translations or to check the meaning or spelling of difficult words. This paper aims to dispel that myth and show how online versions of monolingual English learners’ dictionaries (MELDs) can be used pedagogically to engage students in academic writing and speaking conventions at Australian universities, thus expanding the borders of academe. It is not necessary to be an expert in lexicography in order to point students in the direction of these resources, which are freely available online. All that lecturers need is a basic knowledge of the uses of a MELD, and a willingness to share these insights with their students. Once students have acquired skills in dictionary use, they are equipped with a tool to engage them throughout their degrees and beyond into the workplace. This paper will present important features from five online MELDs and outline theirinformation on spelling, pronunciation, grammar, meanings, synonyms, style and idioms in order to improve EAL speakers’ academic writing and widen the borders of the academy.