Classic Why I Didn't Preorder the Nook

[tompe]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Don't think it's arrogant at all - if you saw somebody reading a p-book and constantly referring to a dictionary, what would you think?

And your assumption that I just ignore words I don't know the meaning of is arrogant!

Constantly? If there is 3 words in a book you want to look up you will not bring a paper dictionary to read but if you have an electronic dictionary you will use it instead of just guessing what the words mean.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by tompe

Constantly? If there is 3 words in a book you want to look up you will not bring a paper dictionary to read but if you have an electronic dictionary you will use it instead of just guessing what the words mean.

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[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Don't think it's arrogant at all - if you saw somebody reading a p-book and constantly referring to a dictionary, what would you think?

And your assumption that I just ignore words I don't know the meaning of is arrogant!

Constantly? Why do you assume 'constantly'?

So....if you are reading somewhere besides your home where a paper dictionary is handy, what do you do when you come across a word that you do not know?

Write it down and look it up when you get home? Guess at the meaning?

If a dictionary is at your fingertips, literally, you learn something then and there that stays with you.

If you have to wait until later......maybe not.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Not 'guessing', 'inferring' - if you don't understand the difference, use your dictionary.

And it usually is impossible to infer the correct meaning and the correct connotations from the context. Especially for things like adjectives and name of birds and fishes and so on.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Don't think it's arrogant at all - if you saw somebody reading a p-book and constantly referring to a dictionary, what would you think?

And your assumption that I just ignore words I don't know the meaning of is arrogant!

I would think that person is secure enough to admit what they don't know and try to better themselves by using a dictionary openly.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by tompe

And it usually is impossible to infer the correct meaning and the correct connotations from the context. Especially for things like adjectives and name of birds and fishes and so on.

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[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I would think that person is secure enough to admit what they don't know and try to better themselves by using a dictionary openly.

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[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Of course you would!

Actually, I probably wouldn't be paying that much attention to someone else's dictionary habits because I have my own world going on. There are things I notice but someone's dictionary usage would be low on my awareness meter.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Constantly? Why do you assume 'constantly'?

So....if you are reading somewhere besides your home where a paper dictionary is handy, what do you do when you come across a word that you do not know?

Write it down and look it up when you get home? Guess at the meaning?

If a dictionary is at your fingertips, literally, you learn something then and there that stays with you.

If you have to wait until later......maybe not.

Deleted

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Actually, I probably wouldn't be paying that much attention to someone else's dictionary habits because I have my own world going on. There are things I notice but someone's dictionary usage would be low on my awareness meter.

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[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

My point was, that if you are basing your choice of an e-reader on the availibility of a dictionary, then I would suggest that you don't read enough to make an e-reader a worthwhile investment.

That's your opinion and you have a right to it but it does not make your opinion correct. A person's reason for wanting certain features in an ebook reader are just as valid as your feature wants.

You're kind of being mean.

[GJN]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

I'd say that if dictionary look up is that important to you then you should probably be heading back to school.

Seriously, if you really enjoy reading enough to consider shelling out serious money on a dedicated reading device then I would expect you would have read enough to not be stumped by words often enough to justify needing a dictionary by your side.

Keep in mind that English isn't the native language for all e-reader users. In my experience, reading books is one of the more pleasant ways of learning a new language. I'd love to have a reader in which I could substitute German-English, French-English, or Spanish-English dictionaries to improve my knowledge of those languages.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Thanks for that helpful addition to the discussion.

You're welcome!

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

That's your opinion and you have a right to it but it does not make your opinion correct. A person's reason for wanting certain features in an ebook reader are just as valid as your feature wants.

You're kind of being mean.

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[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by GJN

Keep in mind that English isn't the native language for all e-reader users. In my experience, reading books is one of the more pleasant ways of learning a new language. I'd love to have a reader in which I could substitute German-English, French-English, or Spanish-English dictionaries to improve my knowledge of those languages.

The issue of language-language dictionaries is an entirely different issue. my apologies for being so English-centric!