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Dictation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dictation

[dɪkˈteɪʃən ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

educational activity

Dictation is the process of speaking words aloud for someone else to write down. It is commonly used as a teaching method in language education to improve listening and writing skills. By practicing dictation, learners can enhance their understanding of spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. It requires a keen attention to detail and the ability to accurately capture spoken language in written form.

Synonyms

copying, recitation, transcription.

Examples of usage

  • The teacher gave a dictation exercise to improve our spelling.
  • She failed the dictation because she misunderstood the teacher's pronunciation.
  • They practiced dictation every Friday to prepare for their exams.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • In schools, dictation has been used for centuries to improve students' listening and writing skills.
  • Dictation tests can help assess a student’s spelling, grammar, and comprehension of the spoken word.

Technology

  • With the rise of speech recognition technology, digital dictation programs have become popular for transcription and note-taking.
  • Voice-to-text features on smartphones allow users to dictate messages instead of typing them out.

Cultural Practices

  • In some cultures, dictation is a traditional method used by students to learn and preserve languages that have rich oral histories.
  • The practice of dictation can be seen in historical contexts where leaders would dictate letters to scribes.

Origin of 'dictation'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'dictare', which means 'to say' or 'to declare'.
  • Originally, 'dictation' referred to a formal way of commanding or directing speech in a more authoritative context.

The word 'dictation' comes from the Latin word 'dictatio', which means 'the act of saying'. The root 'dicere' translates to 'to say or to tell'. Initially, dictation referred to the act of speaking words for someone else to record, primarily in legal or scholarly contexts. Over time, its usage expanded into educational settings, where it became a popular tool for teaching language and writing skills. The practice of dictation has its origins in the need for accurate transcription of spoken language, which was essential before the widespread availability of written materials. As education systems evolved, dictation remained a staple teaching method, especially for foreign language acquisition.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,052, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.