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Birdog3344 · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 126 Location: Osaka, Japan

Can anyone recommend an affordable (under $200?) portable electronic japanese/english dictionary? Have you found it to be helpfull?

Munchen · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 76

This topic has been discussed in pretty good detail more than once in this forum. I can only suggest to wade through the previous messages and I am sure you will find sufficient information from others on their usage and experience.
Also for a quick rundown on various brands, check the website for Aiko Trading Company. Just type it in. Shows which models are good for beginners, intermediate-advanced usage with a thorough description of specs for each model. Although I have never used one, it seems as if the Canon Wordtanks are the top of the line.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Exactly as Munchen said. I will only add this: Best way is to wander into a large electronics store (like Yamada Denki) and play with the display models.

For the record, I have a Canon Wordtank IDF-2200E that cost 15,000 yen. It has: Oxford Advanced Learner's, GENIUS E-J, EPhrase-J, J-E, Thes., other functions I don't use because they are made for Jpns learners of English. I use it many times daily (it never leaves my side) and I like it a lot!

Make sure that whatever you buy, your dictionary has: at least the above functions. In addition, make sure there is a "Jump" button (Superjump on CASIO models) which allows you to highlight kanji and look them up in the J-E to get the corresponding kana.

einsenundnullen · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 76

Muenchen and Jim, yeah, it's been discussed, but these things change frequently, no? Like new computer components coming out. The only one I see consistently is that badass black Canon model. I've been seeing that for ages.

Anyway Birdog, I have the Sharp PW-9300. I think it works pretty well. A friend has their 9700 model. If I recall correctly, the 9300 replaced some encyclopedia function of the 9700 with another type of dictionary, possibly katakana. Anyway, I considered it to be more practical although I never use it anyway. The 9300 might have been a bit cheaper as well. Otherwise, I think they were the same.

I don't know Aiko Trading, but if you can read some Japanese, check out kakaku.com .

Chris

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Birddog,
Can you read Japanese kanji? Most JE/EJ dictionaries require it in order to use them. I mean, you are probably going to look up various words that you see printed, and very few allow you to write them in with a pencil. You'd have to know how to pronounce them first.

I don't have one (yet), but there are some good reviews on the Internet. Look back on old files on www.gaijinpot.com .

merc007 · Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Posts: 14

You should try the local OFF HOUSE, or 2ndhand store. I picked up a fantastic elect dictionary for 3,000yen. I was able to test it before I bought it. Other places like Bunshindo etc sell them as well but for a higher price. I guess with more features.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

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

The key is buying an electronic dictionary with the jump key. There are not that many that have one. I've got a Canon wordtank IDF 3000. It's probably the cheapest functional dictionary for foreigners on the market. It's heavier and bigger than all the rest, but it was only 10,000 yen.

Here's a useful link.

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

Birdog3344 · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 126 Location: Osaka, Japan

Okay, great tips guys. Now, is all that info moot since i don't read Kanji as Glenski suggests?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

<sigh> No, Birdog. It is NOT moot. Seemingly neither you, nor Glenski even bothered to read my initial comment in this thread. guest of Japan didn't read it either, as he said exactly what I did in my initial reponose -- almost verbatim. Nor did it help any that I re-emphasized the same thing in a later post.

I will spell it out again, for the third time although I really don't know why I bother anymore.

You do NOT need to understand kanji to use an electronic dictionary. It helps, yes, but it's not impossible. Most dictionaries have something called a "Jump" button. On CASIO it's called "SuperJump". Let's say you type in the word "house" into your English-Japanese dictionary function. The dictionary will spit out a single kanji (and a bunch more info as well). You push your "jump" button, highlight the kanji you don't know using your arrow keys, hit <enter> and ba-da-bing, the word "IE" comes up, written in hiragana.

guest: Untrue. MOST dictionaries nowadays have a jump function, but I can only speak for the models that cost 10,000 yen or more. I've played with, CASIO, Canon, Sharp, Seiko, all of which have some variation of this feature on it. However, your link IS a good general guide. I wouldn't use it as a purchase guide however, as this page started 4 years ago, reflecting models available in 2000, then in 2002. The final addition is Nov. 2004, but only to make the addition of a new Sharp dictionary, not to adress the fact that the previous models indicated on that page have since changed, and newer, better models have replaced them or been added to the lineup... The page also neglects to mention that Casio most definitely HAS a jump function, but it goes by a different name (Superjump).

Pls. excuse my frustration. Sorry.

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

JimDunlop, I did read your first post; I just forgot about it. You are right that most electronic dictionaries have a jump key, but they do not all allow you to highlight multiple kanji which go together to make a word.

It's been a year since I bought my dictionary, so I don't know what all of the newest models are capable of. The link I gave is very useful because it helps a buyer to sort through the masses of electronic dictionaries and find out what he/she needs in one.

You are correct about not needing to know kanji to use an electronic dictionary. Hiragana and Katakana are very necessary.

I'm quite certain that the link does mention the Casio "Super Jump".

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Highlighting multiple kanji is a funny one -- it took me a while to figure it out on my Canon. I don't know if this works on other brands/models but at least with the one I have, you put the cursor on the first kanji, press the SHIFT button and then the right arrow key until you've highlighted the entire selection you wish to view.

Sometimes it's a bit long. Recently I looked up "refund." I came up with "haraimodoshi" but when you see it in Japanese it reads: kanji-I-kanji-SHI and you have to highlight the whole darn thing to get the J-E cross-translation.

Birdog3344 · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 126 Location: Osaka, Japan

Sorry, Jim. The "Jump" thing was a bit confusing at first, but now I got it. Now, at the risk of making that vein pop, do i need to know Hiragana and Katakana?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Yes. Both hiragana and katakana are a must. As far as I know, there are no ROMANJI Japanese - English electronic dictionaries.... If there are, I would be curious to know about it...

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

Seiko makes a Japanese English dictionary with romaji. It's pretty expensive and you will quickly outgrow it. I don't think it's a very good dictionary, but if you have a lot of money and don't plan to be in Japan for too long then it may be just the thing.