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Introduction

Each new edition of the COLLINS ROBERT FRENCH DICTIONARY is an opportunity both to explore the most recent changes that have taken place in English and French and to further develop the features that have made it one of the most successful reference books in the world.

In previous editions we made increasing use of our huge lexical databases to ensure that not just significant words and expressions but relevant collocations and contexts are included and reliably translated. This new edition is no exception, and the way it exemplifies real usage makes it both a fascinating reflection of the two languages and a highly dependable practical tool.

One of the most significant features of this dictionary is the help it provides in specific areas of language. You will find special encyclopedic entries providing information about institutions, cultural events and traditions in the French- and English-speaking world, and helpful notes on grammar, particularly in entries where sentence structure poses problems for non-native speakers. In addition to these features, the "Language In Use" supplement in the centre of the dictionary has gained much critical acclaim as a comprehensive guide to self-expression in French.

In this new edition, the first of the new millennium, we have further developed this user-centred approach by including specially designed translation tips. Using extensive feedback from teachers and highly experienced professional translators, we have identified words and meanings that are often mistranslated and provided carefully worded advice on recognizing and avoiding such pitfalls. This dictionary thus provides essential help to both translators and advanced learners by alerting them to 'danger zones' where problems are known to occur.

The lexicographer's work is never done, and each new edition of this dictionary is a milestone but never journey's end. As you read these words, our editors are already preparing the seventh edition, constantly alert both to the shifting frontiers of language and to the needs of the millions of people who use the COLLINS ROBERT every day.

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Excerpted from Robert French Dictionary by HarperCollins Staff
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.