Contextual Bilingual Dictionaries: A Case Study of the Verb “Get”

Abstract:

The main question of this study is whether some current bilingual dictionaries (English-Arabic) present contextual clues to the reader to get the meaning. It sought to investigate these dictionaries in terms of compiling expressions with preposition, e.g. the verb “get”. It presented the characteristics of bilingual dictionaries and the importance of contextual dictionaries. It explored four comprehensive and widely used bilingual dictionaries (English-Arabic). It used the case study method: the verb “get.” It provided an applied part, e.g. the verb “get”. The findings indicate that these bilingual dictionaries lack contexts to a great extent; context plays a crucial role in getting meaning even in bilingual dictionaries. It is hoped that this study will usher the fulfillment of a comprehensive contextual bilingual dictionary (English-Arabic). Based on the findings, it is recommended that a team get together to carry out this project.