Latin Dictionaries
We now have a "Classic to Keep" just for Latin: a Latin dictionary.
Which Dictionary Do We Need?
I have recommended the Pocket Oxford Latin Dictionary because of its combination of physical size, features, and cost (~$16 on Amazon).
I use a Collins Latin Concise Dictionary that I picked up at a used book store for $7. A second edition was published just a few years ago that is similar in price to the Oxford.
There are certainly others. In fact, parents, you may have one lying around if you took Latin in a bygone era. Latin hasn't changed in the last 20 years. You might also look at used book stores. I often see Latin dictionaries at Half-Price Books.
The main thing I would recommend against is a dictionary that is too big. It needs to be transportable and easily stowed away in a backpack or desk. Also, it really should have both a Latin-to-English part and an English-to-Latin part.
Why Do the Scholars Need Dictionaries?
This is a fair question. The last thing I want to do is ask parents to spend yet more money on something frivolous. Over the last several years, though I have come to feel that it very important that our scholars possess and know how to use a Latin dictionary.
It is the Fundamental Tool of the Latinist
If my purpose is to teach our scholars not simply how to read curated Latin texts but how to be Latinists (and, more generally, linguists), then I want to equip them with the knowledge of the tools of the Latinist trade. The most fundamental tool of the Latinist is the dictionary.
It Provides Freedom to Explore Latin on One's Own
I teach the students a lot of words, but having a dictionary gives the students access to far more words than I can possibly teach them. It gives them the freedom and flexibility to explore Latin on their own and in their own way: e.g., by attempting to translate a text that they find outside of class or by creating their own Latin text.
It Helps Prepare for Success in Middle School and Beyond
I always have in mind that I am preparing my students for their next steps. Eventually, that means stepping beyond my jurisdiction into the Middle School. Knowledge of how to use a Latin dictionary gives students a degree of autonomy and ability to self-educate that will be extremely valuable to them as they continue their education in Latin.
