Book Review – Dictionary: Sport, physical
education, sport science
Darlene Kluka, Willie Daniel, and Christopher
Wiley
Grambling State University of Louisiana, USA |
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Haag, H., & Haag, G. (eds.). (2003). Dictionary:
Sport, physical education, sport science. Kiel, Germany: Institut
fur Sport Und Wissenschaften. ISBN: 3-7780-3419-7. 29.00 EUR
The editors have sought to bring three highly relevant phenomena
together in the form of a reference book – a dictionary
of sport, of physical education, and of sport science. Sport has
been defined by the editors as a “…collective term
for all physical activities performed by people in the form of
movement, play or competition…” Physical education
is referred to as “…the complete education of the
human being starting from the body.” Sport science includes
the “…system of scientific research, theory and practice
of sport, into which results from other disciplines are integrated…”
Having selected 2000 of the most relevant words or phrases that
have been used worldwide to define sport, physical education and
sport science. Presented in English, the editors have also included
terms alphabetically in French, German and Spanish in an index.
Of special note, a CD-ROM is included with indices in nine additional
languages: Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Portuguese, Romanian,
Russian and Turkish.
Formatting of the dictionary, however, seems to be somewhat challenging.
The lack of divisions between each letter of the alphabet is unfamiliar
to those who have learned to use dictionaries. Although page numbers
are displayed at the bottom right of each page, there is no assistance
in the top corners as would normally be found in dictionaries.
Perhaps the editors will consider incorporating formatting similar
to other dictionaries in the second edition. Perhaps the editors
will also consider using sport science and physical education
professionals with English as their first language for final editing
in the second edition. This will ensure a smooth, concise, and
accurate read in English.
The most significant contribution of this reference involves its
extensive attempt to coordinate translations in thirteen languages.
It appears to be the first time a dictionary with extensive translations
of this magnitude has been published. The effort, in and of itself,
should be applauded. The editors have courageously provided a
focal point for future discussions of communication worldwide
among professionals in the areas of sport, physical education
and sport science. Additionally, the cost of the reference is
quite inexpensive, particularly given the immense translation
and actual page numbers (768 pages). This reference would be of
value to university libraries worldwide. Sport scientists would
also benefit from its use to further the discussion of worldwide
scientific language.

http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-january2004.htm
Book Review – Dictionary: Sport, physical
education, sport science
Darlene Kluka, Willie Daniel, and Christopher
Wiley, USA
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