Can't read phonetic phrases in Kindle dictionary

xneuromancer · 07-27-2013, 03:39 PM

Device: Kindle with physical keyboard (no 3g)
Version: Kindle 3.4

I'm having an issue with my Kindle dictionary, where the phonetic phrases (words in parenthesis or slash marks /abcd/) that came after the word that tell you how to pronounce the word is essentially nonsensical.

This wasn't always the case, I always have my wifi on the device turned off since I had my Kindle loaded up with books for a few years. Recently I bought a new book from Amazon and turned on my wireless. Once this happened, I noticed ever since then that the dictionary changed and now I can't read these phonetic phrases. They used to be "normal" just like you would see on dictionary.com

Take a look at this picture and you'll see what I mean, http://imgur.com/5jExrLo

Is this normal? Seems like random characters and greek symbols most of the time. I have two dictionaries on here, "the new oxford american dictionary" and "oxford dictionary of english" and they both have this issue now. However it didn't use to always be like this.

Mixx · 07-27-2013, 06:30 PM

xneuromancer,

I don't know how it could have changed for an existing dictionary, but the pronunciation you see is given in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA, http://www.langsci.ucl.ac.uk/ipa/ipachart.html) and it is not nonsensical at all, on the contrary. The IPA is arguably the best way to specify pronunciation in any language. It is widely used outside of the US, but even the Merriam Webster Learner's Dictionary is using it now (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/).

Cheers, Mixx

ixtab · 07-27-2013, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xneuromancer

Take a look at this picture and you'll see what I mean, http://imgur.com/5jExrLo

Is this normal? Seems like random characters and greek symbols most of the time. I have two dictionaries on here, "the new oxford american dictionary" and "oxford dictionary of english" and they both have this issue now. However it didn't use to always be like this.

Hmmm... that looks entirely correct to me, Mixx already explained it in more detail. The question is: what did it look like before?

xneuromancer · 07-30-2013, 01:12 AM

used to look like this, http://www.merriam-webster.com/pronsymbols.html

e.g. ubiq·ui·tous, adj \yü-ˈbi-kwə-təs\

thanks for clearing it up for me, guess i'm an idiot

never knew there was another pronunciation format.

07-27-2013, 03:39 PM	#1
xneuromancer Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2013 Device: Kindle	Can't read phonetic phrases in Kindle dictionary Device: Kindle with physical keyboard (no 3g) Version: Kindle 3.4 I'm having an issue with my Kindle dictionary, where the phonetic phrases (words in parenthesis or slash marks /abcd/) that came after the word that tell you how to pronounce the word is essentially nonsensical. This wasn't always the case, I always have my wifi on the device turned off since I had my Kindle loaded up with books for a few years. Recently I bought a new book from Amazon and turned on my wireless. Once this happened, I noticed ever since then that the dictionary changed and now I can't read these phonetic phrases. They used to be "normal" just like you would see on dictionary.com Take a look at this picture and you'll see what I mean, http://imgur.com/5jExrLo Is this normal? Seems like random characters and greek symbols most of the time. I have two dictionaries on here, "the new oxford american dictionary" and "oxford dictionary of english" and they both have this issue now. However it didn't use to always be like this.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Bummer...Kindle3 Phonetic Symbol won't SHOW...	xudeyuanghw	Kindle Developer's Corner	6	07-06-2013 11:52 AM
PRS-350 IPA Int'l Phonetic Alphabet thingy	Mencken	Sony Reader	2	05-06-2012 07:07 PM
What is the best way to read with a French dictionary on a Ipad?	Rizla	Apple Devices	0	01-19-2012 11:35 PM
Can I read Kindle w/ Eng-French Dictionary?	LenEdgerly	Amazon Kindle	8	12-27-2010 09:07 AM
e-book reader with dictionary and phonetic transcription	B.Sterzenbach	Which one should I buy?	6	08-30-2010 05:46 AM

07-27-2013, 06:30 PM	#2
Mixx Zealot Posts: 143 Karma: 387 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	xneuromancer, I don't know how it could have changed for an existing dictionary, but the pronunciation you see is given in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA, http://www.langsci.ucl.ac.uk/ipa/ipachart.html) and it is not nonsensical at all, on the contrary. The IPA is arguably the best way to specify pronunciation in any language. It is widely used outside of the US, but even the Merriam Webster Learner's Dictionary is using it now (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/). Cheers, Mixx

07-30-2013, 01:12 AM	#4
xneuromancer Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2013 Device: Kindle	used to look like this, http://www.merriam-webster.com/pronsymbols.html e.g. ubiq·ui·tous, adj \yü-ˈbi-kwə-təs\ thanks for clearing it up for me, guess i'm an idiot never knew there was another pronunciation format.

Advert