WHEN Johnson needs to research something, a long list of bookmarks, plus a stack of physical books, plus a phone jammed with apps, have made the work faster and more fun. This column is dedicated to a few of the things that make working with language easier and more enjoyable. Indeed, there has never been a better time to learn a language, or learn about language.

Research on individual word meanings is easy enough. Merriam-Webster has a good free site for basic definitions. But for this columnist, one online dictionary stands out. The Oxford English Dictionary‘s website is a delight to use, and its records of the history of the English language are unbeatable. For those who miss the serendipity of finding great words they weren’t looking for while paging through the dictionary, there are even contextual menus that show the words before and after in the alphabet. Unfortunately, the price tag of $295 a year will put most hobbyists off.

For translation dictionaries, the hobbyist is spoiled for choice. Google…Continue reading

from Prospero http://ift.tt/1hKx9c7
via IFTTT