Electronic Dictionaries and Translators

Electronic dictionaries and translators are essential tools for all serious language learners or travellers who need that perfect word or translation at their fingertips when they need it.

 

 

Do I Need an Electronic Dictionary?dictionary

Electronic dictionaries give you the same functionality as regular paper bound dictionaries but usually with many more added functions—in a much smaller device. Electronic dictionaries can hold an immense amount of vocabulary without increasing the size, but also employ a much easier to use search function than regular dictionaries, and in some cases include speech software that will allow you to hear the word as it should be said. Some top models even have voice recognition software to recognise spoken words, and word scanners to recognise written text.

 

Now granted, not everyone may need all of these functions, but if you are serious about learning a language, or will be travelling and learning at the same time, the electronic dictionary is an invaluable tool.

 

There is a downside of course: The price. Electronic dictionaries vary wildly from under $100 to nearly $1000 depending on what you want it to do. Obviously if you are a translator, or work for the UN peacekeepers then you need to know that your trusty electronic dictionary has everything you could possibly need; but if you are just a traveller, then all it has to do is tell you what things mean. It is up to you to decide how many bells and whistles your electronic dictionary needs to have. It is good to have one that can speak the word aloud with good pronunciation and tone however.

 

Think of it as an investment as it should last you forever and even when you can speak a language there will be vocabulary you don't know.

 

Which Electronic Dictionary?translator

There are a couple of companies that lead the market in electronic dictionaries and translators. Some have more products than others, some cover more languages, some concentrate on particular languages only.

The list on the left includes the languages covered by the Ectaco group who specialise in electronic dictionaries and therefore are a front-runner in the field and possibly have the greatest choice of products and languages available. As far as electronic dictionaries and translators are concerned, Ectaco is the company to keep up with. Many smaller companies may be worth checking out for certain languages (eg. Besta - Chinese, CyberDict - Thai) but for a wide variety, Ectaco is King.

 

See our main Ectaco page

Check out Franklin

 

Other Translators

Electronic Dictionary

Kingdict.com provides multinational handheld, portable electronic talking dictionaries & translators with more than 40 languages.