Resources
No.40
January 2004
 
    

Book Review – Dictionary: Sport, physical education, sport science
Darlene Kluka, Willie Daniel, and Christopher Wiley
Grambling State University of Louisiana, USA



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.




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