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Free Spanish-English Online Dictionary

Ricardo wrote to me today to tell me about a free English-Spanish online dictionary. It's at the Word Magic website. As someone who is interested in learning Spanish, I was pleased to find out about this resource.

I tested the dictionary with the Costa Rican expression pura vida, which people use to respond to "how are you" type questions. I was happy to see that the online dictionary defined pura vida as "just fine" and "super" rather than the literal translation "pure life." It provided good synonyms too: estupendo, excelente, and others.

If you want to use proper holiday greetings in Spanish, the Word Magic dictionary does a good job with "Happy holidays" and "Happy New Year":  Felices Pascuas, Felix Navidad, and Feliz Año Nuevo.

Muchas gracias, Carlos! I appreciate knowing about the Word Magic dictionary.

Lynn
Syntax Training

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By Lynn Gaertner-Johnston

Lynn Gaertner-Johnston has helped thousands of employees and managers improve their business writing skills and confidence through her company, Syntax Training. In her corporate training career of more than 20 years, she has worked with executives, engineers, scientists, sales staff, and many other professionals, helping them get their messages across with clarity and tact.

A gifted teacher, Lynn has led writing classes at more than 100 companies and organizations such as MasterCard, Microsoft, Boeing, Nintendo, REI, AARP, Ledcor, and Kaiser Permanente. Near her home in Seattle, Washington, she has taught managerial communications in the MBA programs of the University of Washington and UW Bothell. She has created a communications course, Business Writing That Builds Relationships, and provides the curriculum at no cost to college instructors.

A recognized expert in business writing etiquette, Lynn has been quoted in "The Wall Street Journal," "The Atlantic," "Vanity Fair," and other media.

Lynn sharpened her business writing skills at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a master's degree in communication, and at Bradley University, with a bachelor's degree in English.