I need to order a Turkish-English, English-Turkish dictionary online in the next few days. Does anyone have any suggestions? I want something somewhat comprehensive (ie, not a pocket dictionary). I am a native English speaker. Thanks!

I've had good luck with the Redhouse Büyük Elsözlügü (translates to "big portable dictionary," but it's listed on Amazon under its Turkish name).

I'm wondering why this has to be ordered 'online'?
maybe perhaps you're not in Turkey?

it's much easier and faster to make a run on a bookstore
here, isn't it?

i'm just being obtuse, i suppose. what else is new?

redhouse is a good one but beware, there ARE mistakes
and it's NOT comprehensive, but it IS adequate.

a_g

The Redhouse seems to be the favorite of the lot, although anatolian_goddess thinks there are problems... but do you happen to have an alternative?

I was thinking about ordering it and bringing it with me when I move to istanbul in a couple of weeks, thinking the price of books is much more expensive... But now I wonder if it might be a lot less trouble to just buy it there.

Thoughts?

it's been so many years since i had to deal with dictionaries for daily communication..let's see what i can remember ... i seriously think you're better off with a phrase book if this is your first trip to Turkey..walking around with a BIG dictionary is awkward at best. i started years ago with a small pocket size yellow one...it was Langer..something...sorry, i don't recall...someone here might remember though. redhouse is okay but i recall a dictionary that they produced a few years ago that had some photographs to help illustrate the definitions...for example..the photo accompanying the word 'lap' showed the lower half of a woman in a very tight straight skirt...is that a 'lap'??

anyway, that put me off redhouse...besides, i knew the management there. they should have known better. nevermind.

are you planning to live here forever or just passing through?

my grandmother, may she rest in peace, was basically uneducated. she came from eastern europe at the turn of the century but she could speak 5 languages...and eventually taught herself to read english!

think about how children learn language...it didn't come from books..
i learned both greek and turkish without attending a course or without a book...okay, a smallish dictionary for really tough things. but for a dead beginner, i'm not sure how helpful a dictionary will be!

turks are extremely helpful and if you're going to live in istanbul, ankara, izmir or antalia, i'm sure there are enough english speakers around who will be willing to help...you'll see.

anyway, good luck! and enjoy your stay in Turkey.

The yellow dictionary series you're talking about is Langerscheidt. A good phrase book is the one put out by Rough Guides. As for the picture dictionary, I thought it was Milliyet that put out the dictionary with salacious photographs illustrating "cripple," "fat," and "cavity."

you may be right, but i recall looking at the 'picture dictionary' on site at Redhouse itself...but it was over 10 years ago, so i could be mistaken.

and i agree that a phrase book is much more useful than a dictionary, at least initially.

there are some really good programs on line that actually help with pronounciation...this is essential.

i remember one of my colleagues, new in turkey, trying to speak the language and the shop owner being spoken to replied 'sorry, no speak English!'

hahaha...

oh, do i have stories about first year foreigners here in turkey! i should write a book!

a/g