System Requirements: IBM or compatible PC; Windows 3.1 or higher, or DOS 3.1 or higher; 5MB free hard disk space
The Collins French Dictionary on CD‐ROM is the electronic equivalent of the well‐known and well‐respected Collins‐Robert French Dictionary (4th ed., 1995). Its database contains over 300,000 words and phrases in current French and English, more than 550,000 translations, and conjugation tables for French verbs.
Installing this program couldn’t be easier. Users are asked which language interface they prefer and are offered the choice of two installations: partial, which needs 5 MB of hard drive space and continued use of the CD, or full, which requires 20 MB and runs completely from the hard disk. For convenience and speed of access, I strongly recommend the latter choice. Having successfully tried this program on both a Windows 3.1 and a Windows 95 system, I can testify that both work well. Anyone running Windows NT, however, should avoid this product, as it isn’t compatible with this system.
Before beginning, anyone planning on getting the most from this program should take the time to read the 28‐page, comprehensive User’s Guide. Because it covers all possible menu choices and search options within the Dictionary, going through it and trying its examples within the program will help dispel any confusion that may arise at a later time.
To start a search, click on the icon for either the English‐French or the French‐English side of the dictionary. Typing a word in the box labeled “Find” locates the word within the dictionary and displays the definition on the lower right side of the screen. Before searching, though, make sure you’re searching in the correct index. The default index, Word List, is an alphabetical listing of all entries within the dictionary. Clicking on the down arrow on the Word List button displays a drop‐down menu of other indices. These are as follows: Compounds, Reflexive Verbs (French‐English side only, e.g. reveiller), Phrasal Verbs (English‐French side only, e.g. nod off), Sub‐entries, Full‐text search, Headword, and History. While the distinction between the Word List and the Headword list isn’t clear, the User’s Guide advises searching by Headword when looking for inflected forms of words, particularly verbs. Words such as displayed (English) and suis (French) will be located in the main entries for display and être/suivre respectively when searching by Headword, but will not be found in the general Word List. Full‐text searching locates words in the entire dictionary ‐ both main entries and definitions, and the History list displays all words searched on during a session. Both wildcard and Boolean searching are available.
Dictionary entries themselves are easy to read, accurate, and have numerous examples of usage. The electronic version of the dictionary has a clear advantage over the print here, as all parts of a dictionary entry are color‐coded so that the pronunciation, part of speech, definition, and examples easily stand apart from each other. Another nice feature is the ability to cross‐reference any word within an entry. Double‐click on any word within a definition to highlight it, then choose X‐Ref from the top menu and the appropriate (English‐French or French‐English) dictionary. The chosen word will automatically be searched and its definition displayed. This capability is especially useful for scholars or translators who want to be doubly sure of a word’s meaning.
Within the French‐English side, all entries for verbs display a V button. Clicking this displays a complete conjugation table, with all inflections of verbs ranging from the present and past participle to the past historic and imperfect subjunctive. This a valuable tool, particularly for students, but also for those like myself who occasionally forget the difference between the more complicated forms. Many will find that this feature alone justifies the price.
The Collins French Dictionary theoretically has the ability to work in tandem with a word processor so that hitting a particular set of keystrokes while typing a paper automatically calls up a word’s definition. Although this feature is outlined within the User’s Guide, the example word processor described is WordPerfect for Windows 6.1. Not having access to this program, I’m unable to comment on its use but can testify to the fact that it doesn’t work with later versions of Microsoft Word. Given the other advantages of this program, though, this is a marginal defect, as it’s easy enough to copy and paste between Windows applications simply by going through the Windows clipboard (highlight a word, choose Edit>Copy, switch applications, then Edit>Paste).
Two other comparable bilingual French‐English dictionaries on CD‐ROM are currently on the market, both from UK publishers. Oxford University Press’s Oxford‐Hachette French Dictionary on CD‐ROM, from 1997 (http://www1.oup.co.uk/bin/readcat?header=Electronic&subject=Reference) retails for £42.54 through OUP’s Website and contains over 350,000 words and phrases and 530,000+ translations. Though not seen, this product seems similar in scope to the Harper‐Collins product, with conjugation tables and a variety of indices. In addition, it claims compatibility with Word for Windows and has maps for major towns. The Harrap Shorter English‐French/French‐English Dictionary on CD‐ROM (1997) sells for £39.99 and has similar contents: 300,000+ words and 530,000+ translations and is also compatible with Word 97.
In all, any scholar of French wishing quick and easy access to accurate dictionary definitions will find this product worth its price. The print version of this dictionary is one of the best on the market; and its translation into electronic format only increases its usefulness. The benefits of this dictionary outweigh the minor inconveniences, such as the lack of a word processor interface; but individuals who prefer to use their dictionary in conjunction with Microsoft Word may wish to check out one of the competing products. The only other caveat about this product is directed toward Windows NT users because of the program’s incompatibility with this system. In sum, the Collins French Dictionary on CD‐ ROM is highly recommended for students, professional translators, and researchers working with the French language.
