| Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | Poll: Which kind of dictionaries do you prefer to use? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Which kind of dictionaries do you prefer to use?".
This poll was originally submitted by Monika Jakacka. View the poll results »
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 03:52
English to French
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A combination of the 3 first options above + reference texts and cross references often on the Internet.
| | | | Susanna Martoni 
Italy
Local time: 03:52
Member (2009)
Spanish to Italian
+ ...
| Up printed paper | Mar 4, 2010 |
I generally used online and CD-ROM dictionaries but last year I started an online training course for specialized English-to-Italian translations and was suggested (and highly recommended) to use printed dictionaries.
Well, I have to admit that I have rediscovered a valid practice (I had forgotten how useful and nice it is to consult "living" dictionaries).
Even if on-line and CD-ROM dictionaries are fast, efficient, immediate, I think that the printed copies somewhat help us ... See more I generally used online and CD-ROM dictionaries but last year I started an online training course for specialized English-to-Italian translations and was suggested (and highly recommended) to use printed dictionaries.
Well, I have to admit that I have rediscovered a valid practice (I had forgotten how useful and nice it is to consult "living" dictionaries).
Even if on-line and CD-ROM dictionaries are fast, efficient, immediate, I think that the printed copies somewhat help us to reflect upon words, and maybe to memorize and deepen terms and sentences and expressions?
Was denken Sie dazu? ▲ Collapse
| | | | NMR (X)
France
Local time: 03:52
French to Dutch
+ ...
As I am not always online and have to work under different circumstances, I have my main electronical dictionarIes (Van Dale) loaded in my laptop.
I like the paper version but it is far too slow, being always onlline is not practical and I won't carry the CDs everywhere I go.
[Modifié le 2010-03-04 08:59 GMT]
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The only dictionaries which I regard as final, containing approved terminology, are my own Multiterm termbases.
I research the terminology originally in various ways, such as reading articles/web sites on the subject in both languages. Where only source language articles or web sites are available, I read enough source language texts until I come to a conclusion about how to translate the term (this applies particularly to Swiss German terminology). In the case of inventions, I defi... See more The only dictionaries which I regard as final, containing approved terminology, are my own Multiterm termbases.
I research the terminology originally in various ways, such as reading articles/web sites on the subject in both languages. Where only source language articles or web sites are available, I read enough source language texts until I come to a conclusion about how to translate the term (this applies particularly to Swiss German terminology). In the case of inventions, I define terminology. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Adding to Susanna's opinion | Mar 4, 2010 |
Susanna, I suspect it's not the paper copy as such that makes you think but rather the quality of the dictionary itself. Even though the industry of electronic dictionaries is nearly 20 years old, the vast majority of disk-based or online dictionaries still lack thorough explanations one would find in a good printed dictionary. Traditions do vary from language to language, but generally speaking, the only thoroughly commented electronic dictionaries I've seen were the direct descendants of respe... See more Susanna, I suspect it's not the paper copy as such that makes you think but rather the quality of the dictionary itself. Even though the industry of electronic dictionaries is nearly 20 years old, the vast majority of disk-based or online dictionaries still lack thorough explanations one would find in a good printed dictionary. Traditions do vary from language to language, but generally speaking, the only thoroughly commented electronic dictionaries I've seen were the direct descendants of respectable printed editions.
Another sad trend is the crowdsourcing of many online dictionaries; even though it's an efficient way to expand the database, a dictionary is only as good as its worst entry. Crowdsourced dictionaries may be good for students or casual users, a seasoned professional may be able to separate the wheat from the chaff in them, but for a less experienced professional, they are a dangerous thing. Occasionally, when editing someone else's translation, I can even identify the dictionary (s)he was using. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Printed copies by far... | Mar 4, 2010 |
... and my preference has to do with the quality of the dictionary itself, as Anton says.
| | | | Carla Catolino
Italy
Local time: 03:52
Member (2008)
Italian to English
+ ...
| I voted other | Mar 4, 2010 |
since I use a mix of the above and when I am not completely sure I reference on the net.
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lillkakan
Local time: 03:52
English to Swedish
| I -prefer- paper | Mar 4, 2010 |
...but I usually have no use for them. I translate mostly IT and computer science related texts and software, and there are usually no printed dictionaries which hold all the emerging technical terms I need to use. But I agree with Anton on the perils of crowdsourcing in online dictionaries and other language services. It can be effective, but quality control is difficult. Like community projects collecting translation memories (Google translate, MyMemory etc). I don't understand why translators... See more ...but I usually have no use for them. I translate mostly IT and computer science related texts and software, and there are usually no printed dictionaries which hold all the emerging technical terms I need to use. But I agree with Anton on the perils of crowdsourcing in online dictionaries and other language services. It can be effective, but quality control is difficult. Like community projects collecting translation memories (Google translate, MyMemory etc). I don't understand why translators take part in such, as it seems aimed at rendering translators obsolete in the process? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:52
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
| As many as possible as quickly as possible | Mar 4, 2010 |
I use Babylon (a programme that brings together loads of dictionaries and other reference materials in one search tool), CD-ROM dictionaries and online dictionaries. Basically my setup allows me to check several bilingual dictionary entries, monolingual entries and thesaurus entries within less time than it takes to look up one entry in a hard-copy dictionary. Can't be bad.
Like many intellectual activities, translation is a continuous process of selecting the best option from a se... See more I use Babylon (a programme that brings together loads of dictionaries and other reference materials in one search tool), CD-ROM dictionaries and online dictionaries. Basically my setup allows me to check several bilingual dictionary entries, monolingual entries and thesaurus entries within less time than it takes to look up one entry in a hard-copy dictionary. Can't be bad.
Like many intellectual activities, translation is a continuous process of selecting the best option from a set of possibilities. We do this hundreds or thousands of times a day, consciously and subconsciously. Ensuring quick access to a large number of dictionary/thesaurus entries for each terminology query basically fuels this process; if more possibilities are factored in, the output is bound to be better. The benefits are cumulative, because increased exposure to dictionary and thesaurus entries feeds your translator’s brain with the tools it needs on an ongoing basis. ▲ Collapse
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Online dictionaries are my first choice, paper dictionary have all an online version... so.
obviously the web is a wonderful source of information, and I use it. If I am not at home, and I have to work somewhere else, I can use my mobile as a modem, so online dictionaries again.
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online + CD-ROM (installed on my machine)
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| I voted for CDs | Mar 4, 2010 |
I have several CD versions of printed dictionaries and these are the ones I actually prefer.
In my languages they are as complete as the printed versions, and often the most up-to-date too. Besides, once they are bought, there is no annual subscription, and I can use them when there is no Internet connection available.
But I have just renewed my subscription to the big Danish on-line dictionaries, and they are worth every penny. They too have the explanations and defini... See more I have several CD versions of printed dictionaries and these are the ones I actually prefer.
In my languages they are as complete as the printed versions, and often the most up-to-date too. Besides, once they are bought, there is no annual subscription, and I can use them when there is no Internet connection available.
But I have just renewed my subscription to the big Danish on-line dictionaries, and they are worth every penny. They too have the explanations and definitions, and include some dictionaries I do not own in hard copy. They do not scroll like the CDs, so I have to wait a few seconds for the system to work if I want to compare related terms - I can only see one at a time.
That said, I still have a large collection of paper reference books and ´real´dictionaries that I use all the time. They do not exist in electronic form, but they are quite indispensible - the specialist ones are reliable and handy, if heavy.
The old librarian cannot live entirely without the feel of a crisp new book - or now and then one that falls open by itself at the right place, and that delightful smell of printer´s ink, coffee spilt long ago, and a hint of dust ... that subconsciously brings back memories of student days and keeps the old enthusiasm alive.
The electronic versions can never replace that!
[Edited at 2010-03-04 11:46 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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The dictionary I prefer is the one that answers my query.
The packaging is secondary.
Philippe
| | | | Niraja Nanjundan (X)
Local time: 07:22
German to English
| Crowdsourced online glossaries | Mar 4, 2010 |
Anton Konashenok wrote:
Crowdsourced dictionaries may be good for students or casual users, a seasoned professional may be able to separate the wheat from the chaff in them, but for a less experienced professional, they are a dangerous thing.
Agree. The KudoZ glossary is a fine example. I use the ProZ term search often, and increasingly find myself going for an answer that didn't get the points, or finding unsatisfactory answers. These types of glossaries should always be used together with other resources, specialist paper dictionaries in particular. The good thing about the KudoZ glossary is that you can see all the answers and the discussion, which helps you in being critical and making (hopefully) the right choice.
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