Do you actually NEED a dictionary on your reader?

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by rebarnmom

My daughter just called me a "mouse potato" and I didn't need a dictionary to look that up. (Even though I don't use a mouse with my laptop.) And in most normal circumstances, I can usually get by with an unfamiliar word by context, but...

I voted "Yes" I need one, because:
1) I'm not content to just guess at the meaning of the word.
2) The appeal of an eBook reader is portability and my 2 volume dictionary at home is not very portable and has extremely tiny print.
3) Words themselves are very interesting to me.
4) My daughter is always asking me the meaning or spelling of words, and I want to set a good example for her, by following up on her questions, especially while she is learning and has the interest. (If I could get a decent encyclopedia on my Sony, I'd want, no need, that too! )

BTW- should I be insulted by her comment?

Your first point was excellent and something I think too many people who say they never use a dictionary overlook. Your fourth point is one I encounter everyday. We think we know the meaning of a word, but when someone asks you for the definition, it can be difficult to put into words.

You absolutely should NOT be insulted! I find her comment very perceptive! Based on her observation and the fact that she actually asks for definitions when many young people do not, shows how highly intelligent she is!

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

I do not NEED a dictionary. When reading from paper I generally just read through words that I didn't understand, relying much on the sense to 'guess' the meaning. The alternative of having an often heavy dictionary always to hand was too much trouble!!

OTOH, having the facility on the Cybook has enhanced my reading experience, 'cause I can now investigate words more thoroughly.

I accept that the main area I need a dictionary is when I'm writing - but that is another issue / poll entirely....

I often find myself looking up words I know. Sometimes I get the feeling the author is using it in a more nuanced way than I'm grasping and having a more thorough definition really adds to my experience. I can usually get words from context alone but it's fun getting the real definition. I wish the Kindle had multiple dictionaries like the Cybook, though.

[DixieGal]

Originally Posted by Sonist

I know that everyone here is way above average, but still..., a dictionary seems like a good idea for a dedicated reading device.

I voted "don't need one," but it has always struck me as very odd that functioning dictionaries are not available to a customer base of readers and writers, who are the only people who need them in the first place.

The EBW1150 has a wonderful dictionary that is free for downloading at eBookwise.com under the "help" tab. Why on earth couldn't the same thing be done for the rest of us?

What I want and need is a good online medical dictionary that can figure out what I am trying to spell.

[Jellby]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you. We haven't really had ebook readers for tens of years so that doesn't really apply.

Exactly my point: no ebook readers, ergo no dictionary in the ebook readers

[brecklundin]

I suppose the analog of this question is since print books exist do you really NEED an computer reading device. Heck, do we even need light bulbs and electricity. We have sun and fire. Then again, why write things down, just pass all information verbally.

Better yet, I'll change my vote to no...I would rather lug around a 20lb (320oz) dictionary with my 14oz reading device.

[yagiz]

A dictionary and especially an intuitive lookup function are great tools. Before I had my PRS 505, I used to read spanish books/docs/web articles on my HP Jornada using Microsoft Reader. To be able to click on a word and have the instant translation was great. I'd love to have that in my e-reader too...

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by yagiz

A dictionary and especially an intuitive lookup function are great tools. Before I had my PRS 505, I used to read spanish books/docs/web articles on my HP Jornada using Microsoft Reader. To be able to click on a word and have the instant translation was great. I'd love to have that in my e-reader too...

get a cybook, then .....

i've two dictionaries on mine and it is interesting to see slight variances in the meaning of many words....wish it was a mite quicker tho' ....

[slayda]

Learning a new word through context can cause errors. For years I thought that the phrase "livid with anger" meant "red in the face" because that's what I saw when people became angry. Many of the people around me thought the same. I was astonished when I looked it up and discovered that it meant "white with anger".

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by kazbates

Your first point was excellent and something I think too many people who say they never use a dictionary overlook.

I don't think I overlook it. I personally am generally just content to guess the meaning of a word. And it's seldom that I can't figure it out from the context it's used in anyway.

If I'm reading some academic piece for work I'd be more apt to look it up, but my ebook is just used for leisure reading and I generally don't care enough with that to bother. But again maybe I'd do it more if the dictionary on the kindle wasn't so slow.

But I understand that others are more careful readers, and like working to improve their vocabulary, so it is a feature that should be in ereaders, but it's not one that I'd personally say that I need or even strongly want or require.

[Jellby]

Originally Posted by slayda

Learning a new word through context can cause errors. For years I thought that the phrase "livid with anger" meant "red in the face" because that's what I saw when people became angry. Many of the people around me thought the same. I was astonished when I looked it up and discovered that it meant "white with anger".

Actually... I don't know how it is in English, but in Spanish the equivalent word used to mean "purple", over the last decades (I guess), it has increasingly being used as "white" or "pale", to the point that now the dictionaries reflect it as meaning both "purple" and "white", it's a kind of self-antonym.

There are other things you cannot get from context. You can guess that a given word means some kind of horse carriage, or flower, or colour... but which exactly? Context does not go as far as that.

[goodellboy]

I love the online dictionary on my Kindle! I do well on vocabulary tests. People tell me that I have a broad vocabulary. But since we build most of our vocabulary through encountering words in context, we often have incomplete or skewed definitions in our minds. An online dictionary makes it very convenient to get a more accurate understanding of a word's meaning and origin. To me, that's exciting.

[Sonist]

I have really come to appreciate the dictionary on the Kindle 2, and it was one of the main features (together with Search), that swayed me to it. I never used to look up words with a paper dictionary.

But, ideally, I'd love to be able to just touch the word I don't know with my finger, and have an instant pop up with its definition. I'd imagine this is coming, hopefully soon.

[goodellboy]

I looked up livid in my American Heritage dictionary. "From the Latin livere, 'to be bluish.'" It's always fun to learn something new.

[Sporadic]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The word want has been removed because this is about need and not want. So do you actually need a dictionary on your reader? Just wanting one is a no. You have to actually need one to vote yes.

Yes, I actually use it to look up the few words I don't know and more who's definition I'm shaky on.

[Tattncat]

I don't need a dictionary on my reader, but I certainly wouldn't mind it. I definitely would be able to put it to use. At the moment I have two readers; one dedicated Sony 700 and my Touch, only one device carries a dictionary. I take both everywhere, but it would be nice to have the Sony carry its' own dictionary.