| English Spanish dictionaries come in all shapes, | | | | want definitions included? |
| sizes, specialties, and mediums. There are | | | | That's usually the difference between glossaries |
| paperback dictionaries, medical dictionaries, | | | | and dictionaries. Glossaries are lists of translations |
| desktop dictionaries, electronic dictionaries, good | | | | while dictionaries have definitions included. |
| dictionaries, and bad dictionaries. | | | | 4. Determine the language(s). Obviously this article |
| All the options can be confusing for anybody | | | | is all about English Spanish dictionaries. However, |
| deciding on how best to start (or improve) their | | | | you do need to ask yourself: |
| Spanish translation resource library. | | | | Do I need (or want) the dictionary to be a |
| The most important thing to remember is that | | | | monolingual one or a bilingual one? |
| individual needs will (and very rightly should) vary. | | | | This may sound like a silly question at first but it's |
| People who love Spanish translation (and English | | | | important to realize that there are a lot of |
| Spanish dictionaries) are a unique breed. | | | | specialized dictionaries that are written in only |
| (It's what makes us special!) | | | | Spanish or only English. |
| What works for you or your buddy down the | | | | Legal dictionaries are an excellent example of this. |
| street or on the other side of the information | | | | Because laws are different in different parts of |
| highway might not work for you. | | | | the Spanish-speaking world, inividualized resource |
| However, there are a list of guidelines that I like | | | | books have been written which explain the laws |
| to follow when deciding how to spend my money | | | | of that particular region. These will undoubtedly be |
| on English Spanish dictionaries. I think this checklist | | | | different from other regions and will usually be |
| can also help you. | | | | monolingual (as opposed to an English Spanish |
| 1. Don't trust the Internet. Just because it's on the | | | | dictionary). |
| Internet, doesn't mean it's true. This is a warning | | | | It's important, then, to have a good library of |
| call to be careful when doing research online for | | | | reference materials in both languages because |
| translations of specific words. | | | | that will help you translate more effectively. |
| Due to the nature of the web, anyone can claim | | | | For me personally, I like to have both bilingual and |
| they know everything about Arctic ice fishing and | | | | monolingual dictionaries in order to cross-reference |
| how to translate every related word in both | | | | them with each other on meanings of words. |
| Spanish and English. Don't make your translation | | | | 5. Determine the medium. Where do you do most |
| final until you've verified your sources and feel | | | | of your translation work? |
| good about them. | | | | Do you like to work at your home office? |
| 2. Determine your needs. There are so many | | | | At the park? |
| choices to choose from when deciding what to | | | | In the library? |
| get. Narrow down what kind of work you'll be | | | | Outside by the pool? |
| doing. | | | | In your bed? |
| Are you interested in translating for the medical | | | | The last thing you want to be doing is carting |
| field? You'll need to invest in medical dictionaries. | | | | around every English Spanish dictionary you own |
| Want a good generalized dictionary? Don't spend | | | | wherever you go to work on your translations. |
| your time looking at specialized ones. | | | | Thanks to this technology age, however, there |
| I always end up spending more on resources I | | | | are many options to choose from. Electronic |
| don't need when I haven't determined what | | | | Spanish English dictionaries, computer software, or |
| exactly I want. It's kind of like going to the | | | | even programs for your pda all will help you with |
| grocery store when you're hungry. Not very good | | | | your needs. |
| on the bank account. | | | | There are still plenty of books, too, if you like the |
| 3. Determine the format. Are you looking for just | | | | feel of having a book in your hand while your |
| Spanish English translation equivalents or do you | | | | doing your research. |