Electronic Dictionary question

[Janet Merai]

To contradict your view, I learned through translating MANGA and anime the hard way and constantly referencing ANY sign of Kana or Kanji the split second I see it.

For other matters like parts of speech and grammar, I refer to online sites that teach you how to place it right

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Just for a reference point, this is the dictionary which I currently posess.

PW-V9500｜学習・専門タイプ｜電子辞書 パピルス：シャープ

I would say that I use the J-J dictionary the most, followed by the Kanji dictionary. When I bought it, I thought I would use the katakana dictionary a lot more than I actually do, but it usually doesn't have the words that I am looking for anyway and I have to refer to my hard copy of a different dictionary.

Incidentally, I like having an E-E dictionary. In the past, I've often resorted to using a J-E dictionary for English words that I don't know, and I've gotten into that habit, but for the same reason that I prefer a J-J dictionary to a J-E one, I prefer an E-E dictionary to an E-J one.

I personally like Sharp dictionaries the best, btw.

 

[Zirdante]

Thanks for the links JimmySeal They were quite enlightening!

 

[Alma]

To contradict your view, I learned through translating MANGA and anime the hard way and constantly referencing ANY sign of Kana or Kanji the split second I see it.

For other matters like parts of speech and grammar, I refer to online sites that teach you how to place it right

:?

Just for a reference point, this is the dictionary which I currently posess.

PW-V9500｜学習・専門タイプ｜電子辞書 パピルス：シャープ

I would say that I use the J-J dictionary the most, followed by the Kanji dictionary. When I bought it, I thought I would use the katakana dictionary a lot more than I actually do, but it usually doesn't have the words that I am looking for anyway and I have to refer to my hard copy of a different dictionary.

Incidentally, I like having an E-E dictionary. In the past, I've often resorted to using a J-E dictionary for English words that I don't know, and I've gotten into that habit, but for the same reason that I prefer a J-J dictionary to a J-E one, I prefer an E-E dictionary to an E-J one.

I personally like Sharp dictionaries the best, btw.

thank you Mikawa Ossan, for sharing your thoughts and experience.

I might say that I am still confused and decided to wait a bit more

 

[Libre]

btw, I haven't even saw dictionary with english menu

Almost all of Canon's electronic dictionary can change menu to English.
Besides, Canon's V90/G90/V80(Chinese models) and V300(High-school model) can search Japanese Characters with handwriting pen.

Talking about handwriting search, Nintendo DS with 漢字そのままDS楽引辞典 is also popular among learners of Japanese.
漢字のままで楽々検索！ 基本編

 

[Alma]

Almost all of Canon's electronic dictionary can change menu to English.
Besides, Canon's V90/G90/V80(Chinese models) and V300(High-school model) can search Japanese Characters with handwriting pen.

Talking about handwriting search, Nintendo DS with 漢字そのままDS楽引辞典 is also popular among learners of Japanese.
漢字のままで楽々検索！ 基本編

thanks, I was not sure about canon

I also found out that nintendo is really popular as substitute for dictionary... will have to do a research about it too

thank you!

 

[epigene]

I think the handwriting feature is something that you should not ignore!

With it, you'll be able to search for kanji that you know vaguely (not sure about the number of strokes, etc.). When you write the kanji, even when incorrect or partial, the dictionary offers suggestions.

 

[Alma]

I think the handwriting feature is something that you should not ignore!
With it, you'll be able to search for kanji that you know vaguely (not sure about the number of strokes, etc.). When you write the kanji, even when incorrect or partial, the dictionary offers suggestions.

that is definitely something i am looking for, and will be must for my machine i really feel need to have something like that (i do have kanji dictionary, but cant carry it around, and sometimes it is not that helpful even at home)...
so, my main problem is (still) how to decide which electronic dictionary to choose?

 

[epigene]

Although I'm not a e-dictionary user (I find dictionaries installed in my PC adequate), the following are the best 4 models today, according to kakaku.com (Japanese consumer opinion webside):

シャープ Papyrus PW-AT750 価格比較
シャープ Papyrus PW-AT760 価格比較
カシオ エクスワード XD-GW6900 価格比較
カシオ エクスワード XD-GW6800 価格比較

All four have identical features in terms Japanese dictionaries, as well as touchpanel pen and audio--the difference would be minor details that I don't know. If the majority of consumers here say they're good, they must be.

Note: The prices shown are the lowest available on the Web and are not necessarily those at retail stores.

 

[kameron]

Earlier this year I had a horrible time trying to find out which dictionary sucks the least. I came real close to getting the Casio XD-SW6500 but in my opinion, nothing beats the Dell Axim when it comes to electronic dictionaries. I was just listening to my favourite songs in the media player and now I'm writing this post on the screen to use the dictionary, all i need to do is press the calendar button and it pops up. Please check my blog at opera (see my signature for the my opera link) for more details. This really is the best thing I have ever bought and I can't recommend it enough.

Feel free to ask questions, I'd be more than happy to help you out if you're interested.

Edit: The main dictionaries I use are Edict (Free), Kanjidic (Free), Eijiro and Kenkyusha (Commercial) in EPWING format. I also have a few others but realised that Edict, Kanjidic and Eijiro are really all that you need for most translations.

I've also made a lyrics EPWING file, so you can listen to your favourite Japanese songs while singing/reading along to the words but as nobody has requested it yet, I haven't released it.

 

[Alma]

Although I'm not a e-dictionary user (I find dictionaries installed in my PC adequate), the following are the best 4 models today, according to kakaku.com (Japanese consumer opinion webside):
シャープ Papyrus PW-AT750 価格比較
シャープ Papyrus PW-AT760 価格比較
カシオ エクスワード XD-GW6900 価格比較
カシオ エクスワード XD-GW6800 価格比較
All four have identical features in terms Japanese dictionaries, as well as touchpanel pen and audio--the difference would be minor details that I don't know. If the majority of consumers here say they're good, they must be.
Note: The prices shown are the lowest available on the Web and are not necessarily those at retail stores.

thank you! now I have broaden my selection, and again have a lot of choice

Earlier this year I had a horrible time trying to find out which dictionary sucks the least. I came real close to getting the Casio XD-SW6500 but in my opinion, nothing beats the Dell Axim when it comes to electronic dictionaries. I was just listening to my favourite songs in the media player and now I'm writing this post on the screen to use the dictionary, all i need to do is press the calendar button and it pops up. Please check my blog at opera (see my signature for the my opera link) for more details. This really is the best thing I have ever bought and I can't recommend it enough.
Feel free to ask questions, I'd be more than happy to help you out if you're interested.
Edit: The main dictionaries I use are Edict (Free), Kanjidic (Free), Eijiro and Kenkyusha (Commercial) in EPWING format. I also have a few others but realised that Edict, Kanjidic and Eijiro are really all that you need for most translations.
I've also made a lyrics EPWING file, so you can listen to your favourite Japanese songs while singing/reading along to the words but as nobody has requested it yet, I haven't released it.

thank you Kameron! this for sure is interesting! but, it might be too complicated (and expensive) for me ☝ could it be, or I am wrong?

 

[kameron]

thank you Kameron! this for sure is interesting! but, it might be too complicated (and expensive) for me ☝ could it be, or I am wrong?

Actually it's not too expensive. I paid AU$315 (~US$260, ~JPY31,500) for my second hand Axim. I have some helpful links in my blog, but yes, this IS a complicated option. People run into all sorts of problems trying to set it up but I'm very happy with my "dictionary".

Basically all you need to do is install a program called "EBPocket" to be able to view and search the dictionary files.

If you do decide to take this option, I'd be more than willing to help you out.

 

[Libre]

Casio has just unveiled new models, XD-SP6600 and XD-SP4800.

These are the first models ever which can pronounce Japanese dictionary's direction words (10,000 words).
Also, these models include Japanese novels with recitation.

 

[The 10th Plague]

I think dictionaries can be a very helpful tool, but reading and listening to a language is way better when learning a new language. When reading and listening, a person gathers information through context. And context is very important, especially when a word has multiple meanings. Just look at the way I learned English: Here in The Netherlands almost no television or radio programs are dubbed. Only programs for little children are dubbed. All of the other non-Dutch programs are subtitled - or, in the case of radio, aren't translated at all. I think this is very good, because when watching TV I hear the English, not a translated voice. When reading the subtitle's, I can put the words in context, and I learn immediately how to use them. Also, reading books and texts in the foreign language is very important. It works on the same principle as the TV does; it shows you full sentences. For myself, I can easily learn words in a context, but I find it difficult to learn just plain words. I also think this is a real problem with schools. Much schools just offer rows of plain words to the students, but full sentences (in which the words-to-be-learned are listed) work much better. Again an example: I was never good at learning French because I was only offered plain words. One day we got a new book, in which the words were put into sentences, and I instantly got high grades (8 or higher (on a scale from 1-10))!

Conclusion: Dictionaries only work when the word cannot be learned easily through context. But I do think dictionaries are essential when beginning to learn a new language.