An English-Persian Dictionary

By Dariush Gilani

Book Overview

This is the third edition of Gilani's popular English-Persian (Farsi) dictionary. It includes approximately 22,000 entries. This dictionary has major advantages compared to other English-Persian dictionaries. For the student of Persian, the pronunciation of the Persian rather than the English is emphasized. It provides the Persian equivalent of an English word, rather than using a descriptive definition. The more commonly preferred American usage is cited. Historically, Persian dictionaries have assumed the reader to be versed in British usage.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0936347953
• ISBN13: 9780936347950
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Ibex Publishers, Inc.
• Length: 609 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Technical Terms Need Definitions

I like this dictionary and it is highly understandable and effective. Nonetheless, the Persian definition of some terms are missing. Allow me to randomly present a few missing (1) technical and (2) historical words: ABSTRACT ALGEBRA, DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, LINEAR ALGEBRA, CAPACITOR, RESISTOR, ACHAEMENIDS, XERXES, ARTAXERXES, CAMBYSES, ALEXANDER, et cetera. If I visited a university in Iran, I could obtain the meanings of these terms; however, one buys a reference book to obviate running around for answers. Furthermore, it would be nice if the author added a list of common Iranian names. On the whole, I found this English-Persian dictionary very useful but good things can be superseded by better things.

not a bad dictionary - for the native English speaker

As mentioned in the other reviews, this is NOT a dictionary for the native Farsi speaker (see the author's own intro). The phonetic pronunciation guide is very useful. The biggest flaw I have found is when dealing with homonyms (spelling?) and the multiple uses of the same word in English. For example, in Farsi class I was trying to use the verb "to bore" in regards to something inducing boredom. Instead I told my Farsi teacher how a film drilled a hole in me instead. There is no explanation of the meaning of a word, just a list of words. Nonetheless, I don't go to class without this book and have found it invaluable.

Great if you don't know the Persian alphabet

Great if you don't know the Persian alphabet. It has the Persian words written with English letters.

A "user friendly" Persian/English dictionary

In An English-Persian Dictionary, native Iranian Dariush Gilani draws upon his many years of experience in the United States studying and teaching languages to assembly the finest and most "user friendly" Persian/English dictionary currently available for students, tourists, the business traveler, and the scholar. The result of a three year effort, An English-Persian Dictionary is enhanced with a cogent presentation on "Reading The Dictionary", "The Persian Alphabet", and a "Key To Pronunciation". An English-Persian Dictionary is confidently recommended for personal, academic, governmental, and corporate language reference resource collections.

An Excellent Dictionary for a Student of Persian

Most English-Persian dictionaries on the market (if not all) are designed to serve the needs of native Persian speakers who are learning English. The English-Persian Dictionary by Dariush Gilani is designed specifically for the English speaker who is learning Persian. Unlike most English-Persian dictionaries, Professor Gilani's book includes a Western alphabet transliteration of Persian words in addition to the Persian alphabet spelling. It is an essential tool for any English speaker who is serious about learning the Persian language.