The Problem with Frequency Dictionaries

A frequency dictionary is a resource that lists the most commonly used words in a language. I've reviewed several available frequency dictionaries and identified a range of issues:

1. They often include dull, specialized words frequently used in formal settings like newspapers and law courts. While these words are essential for fluency, they aren't typically among the first 3000 words a learner should focus on.

2. Many of these dictionaries are quite expensive.

Though points 1 and 2 could be overlooked, the following issues are more concerning:

3. Each word is usually accompanied by only one example sentence. Moreover, these sentences:

   a) Lack translations.

   b) Combine advanced vocabulary with beginner-level words.

4. Verbs are presented in their infinitive form (e.g., "to be, to eat"). This is inadequate as many commonly used verbs are irregular, and it's crucial to include their irregular forms, which these dictionaries often omit.

5. The layout of these dictionaries often shows the word and its meaning side-by-side, which hampers the learning process. Effective study involves trying to recall a word's meaning before checking the answer, not seeing both simultaneously.

My frequency dictionaries aim to address these shortcomings. They are a work-in-progress, evolving based on reader feedback. Purchasers will receive free updates, whether they bought the dictionary through Amazon or other platforms.

Now, why is it crucial for a frequency dictionary to provide ample example sentences? About 75% of all written material in any language is composed of the same 1000 basic words. However, simply memorizing these words is insufficient for fluency. Understanding and speaking smoothly requires seeing these words in context.

For instance, some words have a single meaning. In Spanish, "playa" means beach – straightforward to learn. But other words, like "çok" in Turkish, can have up to 10 different meanings depending on the context. A similar example is the Chinese verb "biaoshì," which has over 10 meanings in different contexts. Hence, to truly master a word, especially those with multiple meanings, it's essential to see it in various sentences and contexts. This approach, rather than mere memorization, leads to fluency.