Why does an ereader need a dictionary? - Page 6

teadonkey · 06-05-2011, 06:18 PM

I use my dictionary on the Kindle, and sometimes when I read a paperback I wish I had it with me. Apparently I'm a minority, but I really don't know every word in English regardless of it being my native language, and I'm perfectly ok with that. I'm not a word person. I'm a horrifying speller. I hate lit classes. But I love to read, and sometimes my love for reading doesn't jive with my particular knowledge/skill set. So having the option to look up the words I don't know helps keep my attention on what I'm reading, and not wondering what I missed.

Andrew H. · 06-05-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I can tell from the text that the book is talking about a carriage, but I want to know what the difference is between a landau and a phaeton.

Do you know what is meant by mamelon and ravelin?

I'm a big fan of the dictionary in my Kindle; I wish I were in the habit of using it more. But I'm so used to reading paper books that I forget how easy it is to look things up with the dictionary.

elcreative · 06-05-2011, 08:13 PM

But I thought that we weren't supposed to talk about piracy whether in Penzance or elsewhere...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

Do you know what is meant by mamelon and ravelin?

hidari · 06-06-2011, 10:09 AM

Piracy in the ebook world is rampant...yet the Powers that be at MoibleRead prefer Wonderland..

elcreative · 06-06-2011, 12:36 PM

Sorry, cultural joke related to operetta, "The Pirates of Penzance," nothing to do with ebook piracy...

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidari

Piracy in the ebook world is rampant...yet the Powers that be at MoibleRead prefer Wonderland..

ApK · 06-06-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

Sorry, cultural joke related to operetta, "The Pirates of Penzance," nothing to do with ebook piracy...

Right. That would be "The Pirates of the Pirates of Penzance."

elcreative · 06-06-2011, 08:05 PM

Still

and "Aaaarrrghhh!!!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

Right. That would be "The Pirates of the Pirates of Penzance."

Andrew H. · 06-06-2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

But I thought that we weren't supposed to talk about piracy whether in Penzance or elsewhere...

Even for orphan works?

philandjan · 06-07-2011, 07:08 AM

For me, the dictionary is there should I need it.

The vast majority of authors use words that are in my vocabulary but some authors, Stephen Donaldson for instance, enjoy using as many archaic and obscure words as possible to enhance the fantasy and mystery.

elemenoP · 06-07-2011, 07:34 AM

I like the dictionary on my ereader so much, that when I am reading a pbook, I get annoyed that I can't tap on a word I don't know.

eP

RDaneel54 · 06-07-2011, 07:55 AM

I use a dictionary to look up words that I don't know the meaning or usage used in the book I'm reading. This is especially true, for me, for words that have fallen out of usage recently or are archaic. Examples of authors using such words are Lawrence Sanders and Eric Flint. Nice to have the dictionary on my Kindle as I am more likely to look up those words and learn something.

As far as the Mensa thing goes, I sent in my application about 35 years ago and it came back because I had messed up the address. I figured that was a sign that I really wasn't meant to be a member.

Dean

crich70 · 06-07-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

Right. That would be "The Pirates of the Pirates of Penzance."

Oh, I am the very model of a modern major general!!

Bookworm_Girl · 06-08-2011, 12:37 AM

I don't think anyone has mentioned yet that dictionaries contain definitions of people and places too. The ability to alternate between the American and English dictionaries definitely helps me with British slang as someone else noted! And, I love that my Sony keeps a log of the words that I look up so I can revisit them later.

vxf · 06-08-2011, 01:19 AM

One example. I was reading Harry Potter last night, the fourth book of the series - certainly not the most refined book around. I found these words in it, that I looked up and are now in the word log in my SONY:

taradiddles
popinjay
scalawag
codswallop
chortle
abreactions
postprandial
veldt

Now, I know I am not a native English speaker... but does anyone have a fairly precise idea of the meaning of all of those without consulting a dictionary?

And this is HARRY POTTER!!!!. You don't want me to open the log of Rushdie's books...

Not only I love SONY readers for the dictionaries - I just adore the word logs. Funny thing is, I have spoken to multiple users who didn't even know about this feature...

By the way, I have been trying to casually fit 'postprandial' in a conversation the whole day. I just love the word! But I haven't had a good chance. Tomorrow's another day, however...

Latinandgreek · 06-08-2011, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxf

By the way, I have been trying to casually fit 'postprandial' in a conversation the whole day. I just love the word! But I haven't had a good chance. Tomorrow's another day, however...

Invite a friend to do something after lunch: "Do you want to go for a postprandial walk?"

06-08-2011, 01:19 AM	#89
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	One example. I was reading Harry Potter last night, the fourth book of the series - certainly not the most refined book around. I found these words in it, that I looked up and are now in the word log in my SONY: taradiddles popinjay scalawag codswallop chortle abreactions postprandial veldt Now, I know I am not a native English speaker... but does anyone have a fairly precise idea of the meaning of all of those without consulting a dictionary? And this is HARRY POTTER!!!!. You don't want me to open the log of Rushdie's books... Not only I love SONY readers for the dictionaries - I just adore the word logs. Funny thing is, I have spoken to multiple users who didn't even know about this feature... By the way, I have been trying to casually fit 'postprandial' in a conversation the whole day. I just love the word! But I haven't had a good chance. Tomorrow's another day, however... Last edited by vxf; 06-08-2011 at 01:24 AM.

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06-05-2011, 06:18 PM	#76
teadonkey Zealot Posts: 132 Karma: 2179008 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3 WiFi	I use my dictionary on the Kindle, and sometimes when I read a paperback I wish I had it with me. Apparently I'm a minority, but I really don't know every word in English regardless of it being my native language, and I'm perfectly ok with that. I'm not a word person. I'm a horrifying speller. I hate lit classes. But I love to read, and sometimes my love for reading doesn't jive with my particular knowledge/skill set. So having the option to look up the words I don't know helps keep my attention on what I'm reading, and not wondering what I missed.

06-06-2011, 10:09 AM	#79
hidari MR Drone Posts: 1,613 Karma: 15612282 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DRONEZONE Device: PB360+, Huawei MP5, Libra H20	Piracy in the ebook world is rampant...yet the Powers that be at MoibleRead prefer Wonderland..

06-07-2011, 07:08 AM	#84
philandjan Trainee Old Git Posts: 78 Karma: 162 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Dégagnac, France Device: Kindle	For me, the dictionary is there should I need it. The vast majority of authors use words that are in my vocabulary but some authors, Stephen Donaldson for instance, enjoy using as many archaic and obscure words as possible to enhance the fantasy and mystery.

06-07-2011, 07:34 AM	#85
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	I like the dictionary on my ereader so much, that when I am reading a pbook, I get annoyed that I can't tap on a word I don't know. eP

06-07-2011, 07:55 AM	#86
RDaneel54 Aging Positronic Brain Posts: 633 Karma: 2155452 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Aurora (when off-Earth) Device: Amazon Oasis; iPhone, iPad Mini	I use a dictionary to look up words that I don't know the meaning or usage used in the book I'm reading. This is especially true, for me, for words that have fallen out of usage recently or are archaic. Examples of authors using such words are Lawrence Sanders and Eric Flint. Nice to have the dictionary on my Kindle as I am more likely to look up those words and learn something. As far as the Mensa thing goes, I sent in my application about 35 years ago and it came back because I had messed up the address. I figured that was a sign that I really wasn't meant to be a member. Dean

06-08-2011, 12:37 AM	#88
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	I don't think anyone has mentioned yet that dictionaries contain definitions of people and places too. The ability to alternate between the American and English dictionaries definitely helps me with British slang as someone else noted! And, I love that my Sony keeps a log of the words that I look up so I can revisit them later.