9170 Can you recommend.....?

I'd recommend the [URL="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Paravia-Italian-Dictionary/dp/0199297746/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206724579&sr=8-2"]Oxford-Paravia[/URL]. I have the previous edition and it seems to me very comprehensive. I think my English vocabulary is good, but there are many words and terms in the English-Italian section that I don't recall [I]ever[/I] encountering before.

In any case, at 2,800 pages, it will definitely look impressive on your coffee table! :winki:

Al

[quote=AllanMason;86297]I'd recommend the [URL="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Paravia-Italian-Dictionary/dp/0199297746/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206724579&sr=8-2"]Oxford-Paravia[/URL]. I have the previous edition and it seems to me very comprehensive. I think my English vocabulary is good, but there are many words and terms in the English-Italian section that I don't recall [I]ever[/I] encountering before.

In any case, at 2,800 pages, it will definitely look impressive on your coffee table! :winki:

Al[/quote]

Thanks Alan, but you don't say how heavy it is or how big. Size matters you know!
:winki:

I have at home the Collins Italian Concise Dictionary, which is not bad, but I love the Zanichelli Advanced Dictionary although it is Italian/Spanish...!!!! I had a look for any English version and I can only find Zanichelli's mini (which would be too small) and the Compact, which may be what you are after. Here are the details:

[url=http://www.amazon.com/Zanichelli-Compact-Italian-English-Dictionary/dp/0844222496]Amazon.com: Zanichelli Compact Italian and English Dictionary: The Editors of Zanichelli: Books[/url]

I would advise you to go to a bookshop and have a good look before you buy.

Moved to : Italiauncovered.co.uk

[quote=Oneto15;86339]Anniet2.
I can recommend the, [B]Collins - Sansoni Italian Dictionary (3rd Edn 1988). [/B]
I've had mine for years and it very rarely lets me down.:yes:

And hows about this for size? :swoon: :swoon:[B]
[/B]
[B]Hardcover:[/B] 2280 pages
[B]References: [/B]> 240,000
[B]Translations:[/B] > 570,000
[B]Publisher:[/B] Collins; Rev Ed edition (4 April 2005)
[B]Language:[/B] English / Italian
[B]ISBN-10:[/B] 0007195893
[B]ISBN-13:[/B] 978-0007195893
[B]Product Dimensions: [/B]24.2 x 18.2 x 8 cm

It even comes with a full set of bilingual instructions. :eerr:

[url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007195893/interactiveda3481-21]Amazon.co.uk: Collins Sansoni Italian Dictionary: Complete & Unabridged: Books[/url][/quote]

Impressive or what?!
Thank you Oneto15, I shall certainly look out for it. Thank you too Gala, that's good advice, I'm certainly reluctant to buy on-line before seeing in the flesh so to speak. And thanks Alan, I shall look for yours too.
Annie.

Yes and when that wonderful dictionary looses it's cover because you have used it so much...you can get it re-bound here (in Perugia) for 10 euro...good as new.

The [I]Grande dizionariono di inglese Garzanti-Hazon[/I] is sometimes found cheap in supermarkets (or even [I]in regalo[/I] with points from your loyalty card, which I'm afraid is how I got mine!).

Here is an ebay offer (not mine): [url=http://search.recensioni.ebay.it/Dizionario-Garzanti-Hazon-di-inglese-Inglese-italiano-italiano-inglese-Con-CD-ROM_ISBN-1]eBay - Guide e Recensioni Dizionario Garzanti Hazon di inglese Inglese italiano italiano inglese Con CD ROM[/url]

Very large indeed, with lots of examples of use. Though just occasionally (and this is certainly not solely a problem with this dictionary) I think it's a lot better on Shakespearean vocabulary than it is for practical matters like building.

Another type of dictionary I find very useful is a pictorial one, particularly for building and technical glossaries. Try this one:

[url=http://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Duden-Pictorial-Italian-English-Dictionary/dp/0198645171]Amazon.com: The Oxford-Duden Pictorial Italian and English Dictionary: M. Luisa Heinz-Mazzoni,Paola Scaltriti,M. Clark,Bernadette Mohan: Books[/url]

[quote=Oneto15;86339]Anniet2.
I can recommend the, [B]Collins - Sansoni Italian Dictionary (3rd Edn 1988). [/B]
I've had mine for years and it very rarely lets me down.:yes:

And hows about this for size? :swoon: :swoon:[B]
[/B]
[B]Hardcover:[/B] 2280 pages
[B]References: [/B]> 240,000
[B]Translations:[/B] > 570,000
[B]Publisher:[/B] Collins; Rev Ed edition (4 April 2005)
[B]Language:[/B] English / Italian
[B]ISBN-10:[/B] 0007195893
[B]ISBN-13:[/B] 978-0007195893
[B]Product Dimensions: [/B]24.2 x 18.2 x 8 cm

It even comes with a full set of bilingual instructions. :eerr:

[url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007195893/interactiveda3481-21]Amazon.co.uk: Collins Sansoni Italian Dictionary: Complete & Unabridged: Books[/url][/quote]

I have the same Sansoni dictionary Oneto15, probably the same edition too, but I find you have to buy a new one from time to time as vocabulary changes so much over the years. I bought mine while I was doing an Italian degree approx. 20 years ago, but computers weren`t so commonly used and mobile phones were unheard of (at least to me!) so there`s now a huge technical vocabulary that has developed since then, to say nothing of the normal evolution of language. However, I wouldn`t part with an old dictionary as they always come in handy and I love the idea of getting them re-bound (thanks, Noble!) and might just do that!

Hazel

It's not what the original message was asking for, but I love my Hoepli dictionary on CD-ROM. I had to buy their very good big printed dictionary to get it, but I have never used the printed version. The CD is permanently in my computer and constantly consulted.

Thanks everyone, certainly food for thought here. I have to say that although a cd rom sounds very useful, I love having a book in my hands. Yes, and I prefer LP covers to cd covers too!
Annie.

[quote=Anniet2;86653]Thanks everyone, certainly food for thought here. I have to say that although a cd rom sounds very useful, I love having a book in my hands. Yes, and I prefer LP covers to cd covers too!
Annie.[/quote]

Here, here!! I just love browsing through dictionaries, encyclopedias etc.
BTW can anyone recommend a really good technical commercial (economics/banking) dictionary (bilingual) - someone has recommended one called `Luigi Bocconi` but I don`t know the rest of the title.

Hazel

Waterstones in Birmingham had the Concise Oxford Paravia Italian dictionary which I bought. And isn't it just ***'s law that the first word I looked up is not in it! :laughs: The word is sfilature. Does it translate to one word in English?
Annie.

[quote=Anniet2;87545]Waterstones in Birmingham had the Concise Oxford Paravia Italian dictionary which I bought. And isn't it just ***'s law that the first word I looked up is not in it! :laughs: The word is sfilature. Does it translate to one word in English?
Annie.[/quote]

I think the word you [I]should[/I] have looked for is 'sfilatur[B][U]a[/U][/B]' = unthreading; (of pearls etc.) unstringing
[I]sfilacciatura[/I] unravelled part;

The verb is 'sfilare' = to unravel

[quote=Anniet2;86295]I need a good English-Italian dictionary. I have a Collins that I have left in Italy and now I'd like a really good, thick one in hard back that I can keep at home and use for reference. Someone I know, who loves all things Italian having spent some time in Italy during the Second World War, has one that gives examples of how words are used. It is about 4 inches thick, on A4 size pages and weighs a ton BUT it is extremely useful. I'd also like a small, light one to carry about, just in case! Can anyone recommend anything, please?[/quote]

Ciao, my name is Paola and i am Italian i reccomend either Garzanti o Zingarelli they can be quite expensive but they are really good. the best ones are really big so not easy to carry.
Ciao

[quote=Carole B;87552]I think the word you [I]should[/I] have looked for is 'sfilatur[B][U]a[/U][/B]' = unthreading; (of pearls etc.) unstringing
[I]sfilacciatura[/I] unravelled part;

The verb is 'sfilare' = to unravel[/quote]

Thank you Carole. I am quoting from an email from the lady who is making some 'tende' for me. I think it must describe the fine thread work, which is rather like lace.
Annie.