Job Discussion Forums

Tre · Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 24 Location: Tokyo

I am in Japan and also trying to learn Japanese. Its going ok but would I would really like is an electronic dictionary that I see all the Japanese people using to learn English in England.

Obviously I need one suited to an English person learning Japanese. I would like to enter an English word into it and have the device tell me the Japanese translation. I would need the translation to be in romaji or hiragana as I cant read kanji yet!

Is such a device available? How much is it likely to cost and where can I get it. Im in Tokyo.

Many Thanks

Tre

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Go into either Sakuraya, Bik Camera or Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku. They have many! Average price is aroun 18 000 or 20 000 yen.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I've got one in Romaji. It's made by Seiko and it's a Kenkyusha dictionary. Can't remember the cost, I got it in Kyoto 1.5 years ago. The vocab is pretty limited, but it is good to start you off.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Basically, you pay for what you get. I got a top of the range Sharp machine and it was my lifeblood in Japan. You could not use it if you are a beginner in japanese though - or at least not if you don't like steep learning curves!

The ones you buy in any store are actually for Japanese studying English. Basically, find one with English menus and you have one for English students of Japanese. Personally, I think they are overpriced and you would do well with a good old paper dictionary until your Japanese gets to passing Level 3 of The Test. Then, splash out on the best money can buy of the Japanese machines as a reward.

Just my experience...

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I've got a Canon IDF 3000. It is in hiragana,m katakana and kanji. However, I can use it because it has a jump feature which enables me to look up the kanji I am given through the dictionary. This jump feature is a necessity and is only available on certain Canon and Casio models. The price for my dictionary was 10 000 yen because it is an old model. The newer and fancier models all cost about 30 000 yen and up. My dictionary has english menus and an english manual. I needed my dictionary because I am constantly bombarded with written Japanese at work. I needed to be able to look up the kanji in order to have some idea of what was happening without bothering everyone around me.

I've looked at the model that Gordon uses, but I found it to be way over-priced and of very limited value.

If you do a google search on Japanese electronic dictionaries you will find all kinds of valuable information.

Incidently, my Japanese ability is not level 3, but with a little patience and practice I was able to use my dictionary pretty well. Of course being able to read hiragana and katakana is a must.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Tre,

this is YOU posting this thread.... I didn't even realise.

Heck, if you make it over to us in Korea for your little mandatory visit then you can buy my Sharp PW9500 for a song.... or at least have a play with it.

I thought I'd have more need for it here than I actually do and by the time I ever arrive back in japan, it will be a stoneage tool.

Let me know via hotmail if you are interested.

Munchen · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 76

What goes around comes around. There was quite a discussion on this topic in this Japan forum last fall. In fact, I inquired if anyone had experience with any of the pricier Canon models, i.e., the IDF-4600.
I have yet to buy one as even newer models seem to appear on the market.
All seem to be available only by mail. The only thing remotely close is an item sold by the Sharper Image, the Lingua Pacifica 10 language translator, which has Japanese as one of its languages. Unfortunately I don't know of any retailers in the DC metropolitan area that offer these gadgets so one can see operation first-hand.
So, once again, if anyone has had experience with the IDF-4600 especially, I would be interested to hear.
Probably the old advice may be best, just stick to regular old-fashioned paper dictionaries. Aside from taking up space, they work quite well.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Munchen · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 76

Appreciate those comments and was a bit skeptical of the 10 lang. gadget myself. Figure it's good and handy for travelers and/or business people, perhaps.

Yes, hopefully will be coming to Japan one day but would still like to procure one of the good models, even while studying here in the US.
Was just wondering if anyone has personally used the Canon IDF-4600 in particular as this one seems to strike me with the most interest.

Thanks again.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Here's a useful link. I wanted to post this before, but I dindn't have home internet service.

http://www.bornplaydie.com/japan/dictionary/dictionary.htm

I hope people find it helpful.

Munchen · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 76

Exactly the type of information I am looking for. Greatly appreciate your putting this site on here. I think the best I have seen on the overall topic of electronic dictionaries.

Munchen · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 76

Exactly the type of information I am looking for. Greatly appreciate your putting this site on here. I think the best I have seen on the overall topic of electronic dictionaries.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Yes it is excellent. Wish I'd had it when I bought mine but it looks like I did well to buy the Sharp I mentioned earlier which they review there in fact.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

U gotta luv Google.