Product Description: The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary perpetuates the coveted status of the Original as the foremost Japanese-English character dictionary available. Keeping pace with the evolution of Japanese, over 1,200 characters and modernized definitions have been added to over 70,000 entries. Using the same basic indexes as the Original Nelson, the New Nelson has added a significant advance: the Universal Radical Index. With over 32,000 entries, the URI enables users to search for main-entry characters from any of their component radicals, facilitating use and making radical priorities obsolete. Its cross-references now include the Japan Industrial Standard code number for each main-entry character, as well as the main-entry character's reference number in Morohashi's Dai Kanwa Jiten.
A True Masterpiece Ruined... This updates a review of the same dictionary I did in April 2003 in which I said The New Nelson totally destroys the advantages of Nelson's original work. That is still true.
I purchased my first copy of the original Nelson in Japan in 1962, the same year Nelson's original dictionary was first published. Over the last 46 years, I have worn out at least 3 copies, and presently own two.
The original Nelson is a true masterpiece and for many years has been considered by scholars and students around the world as the 'the kanji bible' for anyone interested in mastering Japanese kanji. Unfortunately, the new version (The New Nelson) is a disaster for several reasons:
1. Nelson's original 12 Step system is still shown inside the front cover. However, it is now completely unusable because the body of the dictionary has been rearranged and no longer orders the characters by Nelson's method. That seems almost too incredible to imagine, but unfortunately it is true. For example, if a beginner wants to look up the character 'wa' (meaning peace or harmony) which is comprised of 'nogi hen' (Radical 115) plus 'kuchi' (3 additional strokes), following Nelson's 12-Step system will lead to failure--the New Nelson (incredulously) no longer lists this character under Radical 115. WHY? (See reason number 2)
2. The New Nelson lists the characters under the old traditional 18th-century Chinese system based on the K'ang-Hsi Dictionary of 1716. Under that archaic system, the character in question was listed under Radical 30 ('kuchi-hen' in Japanese) which is contrary to Nelson's original look-up method. Nor is the rationale for this arrangement anywhere explained -- it was an arbitrary thing in China that characters containing "kuchi hen" would usually be found under that radical. Why??? -- is an ancient Chinese mystery.
Guess what?!? This is PRECISELY what Mr. Andrew Nathaniel Nelson, PhD, most wanted to avoid in his original dictionary. In the old traditional Chinese system there was too much that was illogical and unfathomable about the arrangement of the characters under the 214 radicals. So the New Nelson dictionary completely destroys the most important and advantageous feature of the original Nelson dictionary.
3. The New Nelson also adds a bulky, cumbersome 230-page Universal Radical Index. Why do you think this is necessary when it wasn't necessary in the original Nelson. It's because the system used in the New Nelson too often leads to failure and despair on character look-up. Every character is listed under every possible incorrect radical that any one could possibly think of (plus a few that no one would ever think of). The end result is a total dumbing-down of the process of learning the radical-stroke look-up system. It also makes the dictionary much bulkier and heavier and less handy. It is analogous to equipping a car with 2 extra gas tanks and 3 extra engines--in case you run out of gas or have some sort of engine problem -- so unnecessary if the product is well designed from the start.
In evaluating the New Nelson, we need to answer these questions:
Is the New Nelson a better dictionary than the old one? Definitely, NOT! It actually destroys the main advantage of the original Nelson--its quick and handy character look-up system.
Is the New Nelson easier to use? Definitely, NOT! You first have to unlearn Nelson's original system of character look-up, and then try to learn an archaic, cumbersome, illogical Chinese system.
As for the unfortunate reviewers who are tied to the archaic, almost unusable 18th century Chinese method of character arrangement, those who have never learned to use Nelson's much quicker method for characters look-up and who therefore see it as a strange algorithmic system and see the New Nelson as the much better traditional arrangement -- we must have sympathy.
The ultimate test of which method is faster -- let me use a Classic Nelson and let one of them use the New Nelson (or any other character dictionary they choose). I guarantee that in a head-to-head contest, on average I will find any character in the Classic Nelson in 40-60% less time than they will using the New Nelson. I have subjected myself to this test on numerous occasions over the years and I always win convincingly.
My recommendations:
1. Get a copy of the Classic Nelson and treat it with utmost care -- just in case the publisher goes completely nuts and decides to drop this masterpiece in favor of the new, more cumbersome, dumbed-down, difficult-to-use version.
2. Write to Charles E. Tuttle, the publisher, and complain about this horrible New Nelson.
3. Write to University of Hawaii at Manoa and complain about the huge disservice they have done to aspiring students of Japanese language who will be unknowingly saddled with a much lower quality dictionary.
I have done all the above. But what about my copy of the New Nelson that I purchased about 5 years ago?
I gave up trying to use it and am now thinking of donating it to a needy fisherman who may be able to use it as a boat anchor... hehehe. I'm also contemplating the Zen-related ramifications... the sound of a New Nelson splashing into a fish pond on a moonlit night...
Rand Dorsey Japanese linguist with 46+ years experience studying, researching, reading, writing, speaking, teaching, and enjoying the Japanese language.
Fantastic purchase! Yes, I'm very happy for this shop! I'm from Italy, and it was been shipped more less than 3 weeks! Thanks a lot Amazon, everything was great!
An Essential It may be big and cumbersome, but it is an absolute essential for any intermediate or advanced student of Japanese. It is very thorough, so it will almost definitely have any kanji that you will need to find.
Really Usefull If you are trying to learn japanese (and a huge number of Kanjis), no matter what your natal language is, this book is gonna ba a great help. You will find the english most accurate meaning for each kanji, and also shows you a list of the words that BEGINS with the kanji you are looking for. It is important to notice that THIS IS NOT AN ENGLISH-JAPANESE DICTIONARY, this is a book where you must search a kanji you are looking for...
a good heavy duty dictionary This dictionary was made for the purpose of translating texts from japanese. It works very well since you can search the kanji in many ways, if you are familiarized with kanji and their meanings, you can find them quick, i have other japanese dictionaries and they can't compare to this one of Nelson. It's all very well arranged also.This one is a must buy for advanced students.
Anything Goes Trivia
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