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Why is it that some language learners still stop reading a dictionary entry after the first definition of the word they are looking up? Why do they content themselves with "one word-one meaning"?

Deep-word knowledge is an important aspect of vocabulary learning for second-language learners. It definitely helps young and adult learners develop their reading and listening skills. It should also prevent would-be translators from making silly translation blunders.

Here is a harmless enough example I have recently spotted in a free magazine I picked up at Bergamo Airport. The brief article describes the Lion Park in South Africa and the English sentence: "Many species of game can be sighted here" was translated into Italian like this: "Il parco comprende al suo interno numerose attrazioni e giochi...".

The mistake is harmless enough. But if you are a visitor, just remember that the wildebeests, the giraffes and the sprinboks might not be too keen on playing games with you!