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grahams

Feb 19, 2007, 4:31 PM

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any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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Can anyone recommend a really good English/Spanish electronic keyboard-style translator? Or, do you in fact believe that they are more of a hindrance than a help? Any ideas on this?

Rolly

Feb 19, 2007, 5:06 PM

Post #2 of 11 (4505 views)

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Re: [grahams] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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The ones I've seen are just a bit above useless.

Rolly Pirate

grahams

Feb 19, 2007, 7:15 PM

Post #3 of 11 (4492 views)

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Re: [Rolly] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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Thanks for the reply. I wondered if they might be kind of useless in that you would be spending half your time trying to key in something that happened 5 minutes ago on a micro-size keyboard. The moment is past and little is learned.

jerezano

Feb 19, 2007, 9:19 PM

Post #4 of 11 (4482 views)

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Re: [grahams] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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Hello grahams,

I usually don't post just to agree with Rolly. He is a fount of knowledge and wisdom.

By electronic translators if you mean the hand held ones which are really just a limited dictionary, they can be useful if you always remember that the definitions which pop up for the word entered are just the most frequent. A lot more definitions are in hiding somewhere usually. But the gadget is a lot easier to carry than a paper-back dictionary which is also very limited.

If you mean the electronic translators found on the web, they are useless except at the almost ignoramus level. Think about the old Japanese instruction books for electronic gadgets or the current flap about Chinglish which the TV reporters have been laughing about as China gets ready for the Olympics. Wasn't there something about Sacred Poo or am I remembering it wrong?

Adiós. jerezano.

ecollard

Feb 20, 2007, 5:57 AM

Post #5 of 11 (4476 views)

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Re: [grahams] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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I highly recommend the Franklin electronic translator, Model DBE-1470. I have been using it for years and am very pleased with it. It includes about 250,000 words/phrases--the most of any such product. It costs about $70USD, translates between English and one other language, and comes with room in the back for a cartridge to translate between English and yet another language (or a dictionary). It's available online--although the model # may be different now.
I do a lot of translating and writing and have not seen any other translator that is nearly this good. No, it's not perfect, but it's the best of its kind.
Plus, it's so much more convenient to carry around and use than a book!
Eileen

sparks

Feb 20, 2007, 3:13 PM

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Re: [grahams] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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I had some kind of Franklin that cost about $50us. I gave it to the school in Patzcuaro I was going to. I do much better with a pocket dictionary which never leaves my room

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

Judy in Ags

Feb 25, 2007, 6:58 PM

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Re: [ecollard] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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Do you have the Larousse version of the Merriam Webster version dictionary? I read on MC that it was best the Larousse so I searched and searched to get the Franklin model you mentioned with the Larousse. I finally found it, ordered it and when I got it, it was the Merriam Webster. I didn't have time to return it, so I use it, but I'm not particularly impressed.

patodonaldo

Mar 4, 2007, 10:17 PM

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Re: [Judy in Ags] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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One of my favorite experiences with a translation program happened when I was working in an outreach program for enrollment in Medicaid. A co-worker was translating an English poster into Spanish using the computer. The title of the poster was "Insure your kids now!" He sent out flyers which in Spanish said "Asegure a sus cabritos ahora" or "Insure your little goats now." I still smile at that memory.

Anonimo

Mar 5, 2007, 1:41 PM

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Re: [grahams] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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Quote

You got it! To me, they are fun to play with in leisure time, but as a communication tool, "on the ground", so to speak, they are an obstacle and a crutch to learning.

Saludos,
Anonimo

husker

Mar 7, 2007, 5:46 AM

Post #10 of 11 (4300 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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If you are limited in vocabulary - then when attempting read a sign or other instructions it is much easier to use the Franklin than goning the wrong way or by passing something of interest.

karfest

Mar 8, 2007, 11:19 AM

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Re: [husker] any opinions on the quality of electronic translators?

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My husband bought a $200.00 translator before our last trip to Mexico I had my old fashioned paper dictionary. He spent the whole flight configuring and refiguring and messing with his translator. He felt very smug and superior to those of us who still rely on books. He first used it at a restaurant when he asked the waitress if he could have his change broken into small bills. I'm not sure what he REALLY siad, but she gave him an odd look and then we heard gales of laughter coming from the other servers when she went to the cash register.

He then tried to give directions to the taxi driver, who looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. I then pointed and motioned straight ahead. The whole ride, hubby was trying to find the right phrase to say. I just opened my book, looked up "stop here on the right" and it worked just great. Hubby was still typing and entering.

Needless to say, the translator was returned when we got back to the US. I'm considering buying him his own old-fashioned book.
Karen
Follow my blog: http://vivalavida-karen.blogspot.com/

(This post was edited by karfest on Mar 8, 2007, 11:20 AM)