By DPA
Munich : They could be helpful when preparing for the next vocabulary test. Or perhaps they'll go to work in a little shop abroad. The aides in question are small translation computers for the road.
These handy little devices have moved far beyond just translating the right word, though. They can now even explain proper grammar and pronunciation.
Electronic translation computers fit into any pants pocket and may well represent a practical alternative to the traditional pocket dictionary.
"For looking up single words on vacation, the electronic computers are very good aids," says Christian Remse from Munich-based Chip computer magazine. When it comes to translating longer sentences, though, the results can be frustrating. "Strange things are sometimes spit out, particularly with complex sentences," Remse says.
Langenscheidt's LanguageMan professional offers the entire 3.3 million boldface entries of the company's flagship English dictionary, including figures of speech, translation, linguistic information, and word forms. "The program also recognises spelling errors," says Langenscheidt's Yvonne Maier. The same is true for inflected verbs, nouns, or adjectives.
The English electronic vocabulary tool with the yellow case and LCD is available for $199. "It provides an optimal set up for businesspeople and translators," Maier says.
It's perhaps less suitable for average consumers, however. "The devices are very expensive," Maier adds. Those who just need a little translation help while on vacation probably will prefer the traditional dictionary.
Casio's EW-G3500 offers a comparable vocabulary to the LanguageMan professional. Users of this model have access to integrated reference words like the Pons Comprehensive Dictionary of English with 390,000 entries or the Pons Pocket Dictionary of French, with 255,000 words and phrases. The device is targeted at teachers and instructors. The device weighs 245 grams and costs $249.
Almost all words are also available to the user in recorded form. "The device can talk, meaning it can help a user understand how to pronounce a word," explains Michael Kielhorn, product manager for office products at Casio's Norderstedt offices.
Another device, the Attach̩ from Hexaglot, was introduced at CeBIT 2007. This device, hardly larger than a mobile phone, contains more than five million entries in all. It offers a full program in two languages РGerman and English Рas well as food-related vocabulary in five languages (German, English, French, Italian and Spanish). It also provides a vocabulary training system for use with predefined or custom vocabulary lists. The Attach̩ lists for 249.90 euros.
"Language lab functionality in a mobile translation assistant" is being marketed by Franklin Electronic Publishers together with the Langenscheidt Verlag publishing house.
The 249-euro computer doesn't just translate hundreds of thousands of words and phrases, but also puts its integrated recording and playback function to work teaching correct pronunciation. Each language studio can also be combined with expansion packs to add additional languages. E-books and audio files can also be transferred onto the device.
An alternative to the pocket devices is the online dictionary LEO, says Christian Remse from Chip. "It's even free," Remse says. Those without computer or Internet access – such as those laying out on a remote beach in the sun – can put their trust in the good old paper dictionary. It fits in every pocket too.