The Dictionary Use among Generation Z Students of English: A Survey Study

Öz

Dictionaries are indispensable tools for language learning. Today, every area of life has been changing rapidly with technology. In such a rapidly changing world, it is inevitable to witness changes in the dictionary behaviors of today’s generation. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the dictionary needs and habits of Generation Z students of English. In the study, the data was collected through an online survey, and the participants were university preparatory-class students of English. According to the results, Generation Z students of English prefer using electronic dictionaries rather than printed dictionaries since they believe that using electronic dictionaries saves time. Additionally, they think that dictionaries are beneficial and necessary because they help them improve their language skills while learning English. Further research on dictionary use can explore several avenues to deepen the understanding of how dictionaries are utilized, their impact on language learning, and ways to enhance their effectiveness.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• dictionary use
• dictionary research
• Generation Z
• students of English
• survey study

Kaynakça

1. Akbaş, L., Alakija, O., Amedu, A., Della, L. J., Dempsey, L., Gilchrist, B., ... & Yang, K. C. (2022). Social media, technology, and new generations: Digital millennial generation and Generation Z. Rowman & Littlefield.
2. Alhatmi, S. (2019). A survey study of the dictionary use sub-strategies of English majors in Saudi Arabia: Dictionary related aspects. English Language Teaching, 12(3), 139–160.
3. Barın, M. & Gür, C. (2015). Dictionary Culture among Students of English: A Case Study. Journal of Graduate School of Social Sciences, 19(1), 145–162.
4. Bingöl, Z. (2006). Sözlük ve sözlükçülük üzerine bir araştırma. Akademik Bakış Dergisi, 9(1), 196–206.
5. Chen, Y. (2010). Dictionary use and EFL learning. A contrastive study of pocket electronic dictionaries and paper dictionaries. International Journal of Lexicography, 23(3), 225–306.
6. Dictionary. (2023). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictionary
7. Dziemianko A. (2012). On the use(fulness) of paper and electronic dictionaries. In Granger S., Paquot M. (Eds.), Electronic lexicography (319–341). Oxford University Press.
8. Jin, L., & Deifell, E. (2013). Foreign language learners’ use and perception of online dictionaries: A survey study. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 9(4), 515–533.

9. Hakim, M. A. R., Abidin, M. J. Z., & Bahari, A. (2018). Dictionary use to increase students’ vocabulary mastery: Electronic dictionary or printed one. In The 1st Bandung English Language Teaching International Conference (BELTIC) (pp. 150-159).
10. Hamouda, A. (2013). A study of dictionary use by Saudi EFL students at Qassim University. Study in English Language Teaching, 1(1), 227-257.
11. Hartmann R. R. K. (1999). “Case study: The Exeter University survey of dictionary use”. In Hartmann R. R. K. (Ed.). Dictionaries in Language Learning Recommendations, National Reports and Thematic Reports from the TNP sub-project 9: Dictionaries, 36–53.
12. Jian, H. L., Sandnes, F. E., Law, K. M., Huang, Y. P., & Huang, Y. M. (2009). The role of electronic pocket dictionaries as an English learning tool among Chinese students. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 25(6), 503–514.
13. Kacetly, J. & Klímová, B. (2019). Use of smartphone applications in English language learning—A challenge for foreign language education. Education Sciences, 9(3), 179.
14. Koyama, T., & Takeuchi, O. (2003). Printed dictionaries vs. electronic dictionaries: A pilot study on how Japanese EFL learners differ in using dictionaries. Language Education & Technology, 40, 61–79.
15. Laufer, B., & Kimmel, M. (1997). Bilingualised dictionaries: How learners really use them. System, 25(3), 361–369.
16. Lew, R. & De Schryver, G. M. (2014). Dictionary users in the digital revolution. International Journal of Lexicography, 27(4), 341–359.
17. Li, L. (1998). A study of dictionary use by Chinese university learners of English for specific purposes [Master’s thesis]. University of Exeter.
18. Tomaszczyk, J. (1979). Dictionaries: Users and uses. Glottodidactica, 12, 103–119.
19. Tono, Y. (2001). Research on dictionary use in the context of foreign language learning: focus on reading comprehension. Max Niemeyer Verlag.
20. Wingate, U. (2004). Dictionary use – the need to teach strategies. Language Learning Journal, 29(1), 5–11.