We've noticed that Google Translate usually yields a failing result for a whole passage or sentence, but can be useful for specific expressions. We recommend using a variety of tools and your own study to identify the multiple meanings of words and the grammatical structures involved. If you plan to use digital tools it's wise to identify which ones you will use for which purposes ahead of the exam. We also recommend reading French magazines for example; CES generally has current issues of a variety of magazines. Some are on-line : e.g. L'Express (advanced), Le Nouvel Observateur (advanced). More suggestions for specialty magazines in Wikipedia "French magazines"
With warm thanks to Mary Beth Clack for compiling these sites; see her French-themed blog.
Further suggestions are most welcome--please send them to Ann Blair, coordinator for the French language exams in the History Department (amblair@fas).
Bilingual dictionaries:
Portal: Lexilogos: Links to dictionaries for a variety of languages. Includes links to information on historical dictionaries. (For French, recommend ARTFL's cross-search for scholary use of historical dictionaries
Larousse
Includes bilingual dictionaries, French dictionaries, conjugators. Also available for searching: Larousse Encyclopédie, link to Cuisine, Archives (thematic dictionaries: literature, art, cinema, medical, Grande encyclopédie, etc.) Features: Conjugator links to dictionary entry and vice versa. Audio available for all definitions and phrases, compounds, etc.
Reverso
In addition to bilingual dictionary capability, includes conjugators, grammar (browse by topic), spell check and translator (free-text). Translator includes audio with results set. Downloadable toolbar capability to look up words from any webpage.
WordReference.com
Word search gives access to both WordReference and Collins Electronic Dictionary definitions. Includes principal translations, compound forms, links to words in other entries and conjugators.
ARTFL
French-English dictionary. Searches for English words from Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828). Searches for French words lead to a beta version of DVLF: Dictionnaire vivant de la langue française, including French dictionary entries from Dictionnaires de l'Academie française (most editions), Emile Littré dictionnaire de la langue française (1872-1877), Bob: Dictionnaire d'argot. Includes synonymes and "Usage à travers le temps" in sidebar. Note: Requires entering symbols for accented letters. I would also recommend that students access ARTFL via e-resources for other capabilities, bien sûr.
French Dictionaries
Grammar:
LanguageGuide.org
Of note is the sound integrated feature for pronunciation but also for conjugations. One mouses over words to hear audio. Quite nifty. Readings in text and audio: beginning, advanced, jokes. One can hide text while listening to audio.
French Online Grammar Quiz
Accompanies "Allons-y" textbook, but find to use without knowing text.
A vos plumes
By Alison J. Murray Levine, professor of French at the University of Virginia. Grammar exercises; writing exercises not yet linked, but includes a section on writing advice, including writing letters, and specialized vocabularies
Reverso
In addition to bilingual dictionary capability, includes conjugators, grammar (browse by topic), spell check and translator (free-text). Translator includes audio with results set. Downloadable toolbar capability to look up words from any webpage.
Other things that may be of interest to you:
The Musée des dictionnaires has really evolved over time
Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicales (CNRF, atilf) also includes idiomatic phrases
Terminology:
Writing French