Tech Blog

[#1]

If you couldn't buy a dictionary, would you even notice? When was the last time you picked up a paper-based dictionary to look something up? I think I looked maybe a couple months ago, but last night I consulted a dictionary several times. Through Spotlight, on my computer. Hmm. Word has come this morning at the next edition of the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary might not come out in print at all ( Mashable & GigaOm ). I don't know if this no-print declaration would include the smaller abridged versions that most of us have on our shelves (I do, actually have an unabridged dictionary here, but not the Oxford), but what if it did? Would you notice?

While I'm a big proponent of ebooks over paper for lots of reasons, I do have to wax nostalgic about the death of encyclopedias and dictionaries as printed works. I used to thumb through the encyclopedia as a kid; just reading what struck my fancy (explains a lot doesn't it). I guess I do the same thing now, except I use Wikipedia and my iPad. I guess I might not miss my dictionary after all. I can see my paper copy on the shelf above me, but when push comes to shove and I need to look something up, I head right to computer/Internet for the answer. Maybe it's because it's faster. If I need to know a word, but don't know how to spell it, I often hit the thesaurus. I know what the word means so … I used to do that a lot in the paper version, but now…

How about you? Where do you go to look things up? Do you reach for paper or keyboard?

[#2]

I bought an Oxford Dictionary of Current Canadian English for first year English, because it was recommended, and I didn't have a hard copy reference dictionary.  I think I've taken it off my shelf once or twice since then.

My university account generously gives me unfettered access to the Oxford English Dictionary online (I drool just thinking about it).  I have, at my fingertips, the ability to look up any word in the English language and not just see its definition but its etymology, with quotations.  That is the power of the Web, and I love it.  I doubt I would ever want a hard copy of the OED (it would be huge!).  The instantaneous searching and updating of a digital version is just so superior.

I love print books, and unlike some people, I don't think print will ever truly die (it'll just change).  But I wouldn't cry if print dictionaries become endangered or even extinct.