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 their
information on spelling, pronunciation, grammar, meanings, synonyms, style
and idioms in order to improve EAL speakers’ academic writing and widen
the borders of the academy.