E-reader with Dutch/English or Dutch/Polish dictionary

[tttx]

Hi,

I am looking for e-reader that has got built-in dictionary with Dutch-English or more preferable Dutch-Polish options. Or perhaps there are such dictionaries for one of the PocketBook models?

Best,
Jakub

[susan_cassidy]

You are probably not going to find an ereader that comes with one of those dictionaries (not a big enough market). But, for a Kindle, you might be able to find a Dutch-English one. Check the Kindle store, and make sure it is formatted to be used as a default dictionary. You are probably not going to find a Dutch-Polish dictionary.

[issybird]

The Sony PRS-950, 650 and 350 come with Dutch-English and English-Dutch dictionaries. They are quite old now, but can be found used on eBay. Mine are still in use; the 350s are fine, while the 950 battery life has deteriorated. I don't have a 650, but I know that battery can be replaced.

[jackie_w]

You may like to check this thread for a list of free custom-built dictionaries available for all current Kobo models. Dutch appears a few times.

Even though they are not built-in, loading them should be as simple as drag-dropping them to the correct Kobo directory with the correct name.

I'm not a Dutch speaker/reader so can't tell you how good they are. If you want more details perhaps post a specific question in the Kobo sub-forum and perhaps a Dutch speaker can advise you better.

[HarryT]

The Kindle comes as standard with an excellent Dutch-English dictionary. Dictionaries are an area in which the Kindle excels.

[Doitsu]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Kindle comes as standard with an excellent Dutch-English dictionary. Dictionaries are an area in which the Kindle excels.

Indeed. The current Kindle models comes with the 2014 editions of the following Van Dale dictionaries, which are considered the "gold standard" of Dutch dictionaries:

Van Dale Groot woordenboek Engels-Nederlands (English=>Dutch)
Van Dale Groot woordenboek Nederlands-Engels (Dutch=>English)
Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (monolingual)

[Zetmolm]

Originally Posted by Doitsu

Indeed. The current Kindle models comes with the 2014 editions of the following Van Dale dictionaries, which are considered the "gold standard" of Dutch dictionaries:

Van Dale Groot woordenboek Engels-Nederlands (English=>Dutch)
Van Dale Groot woordenboek Nederlands-Engels (Dutch=>English)
Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (monolingual)

Are you sure that the Kindle comes with the full versions of those dictionaries? That would be EUR 297 worth of dictionaries on a device that costs a lot less! (Both the paper and the e-version of these dictionaries cost 99 euros each.)

And is there a function that I can use to look up just any word? If so, then if someone needs those dictionaries it's a lot cheaper to buy a Kindle for 80 euros and use that as an e-dictionary!

[davidfor]

The Kobo devices include a "Nederlands" and an "English-Nederlands" dictionary. But not the "Nederlands-English". The about page seems to list these as "Van Dale Pocketwoordenboeken".

The Nederlands dictionary cannot be searched. You can select a word in a book to look it up, but not do search. Most of the dictionaries do allow a search.

[eschwartz]

Yes, you can use the search bar with the scope set to Dictionary.

I imagine Amazon figured it was worth the moolah in order to market the Kindle as having awesome dictionaries. I suppose you *could* buy it for the sake of an electronic dictionary, although that wasn't Amazon's intent by any means -- just don't make the news about it, or someone, somewhere, will start panicking and "fix" it.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Yes, you can use the search bar with the scope set to Dictionary.

Some dictionaries support searching and some don't; it depends on the rights Amazon have bought in their licence for that particular dictionary.

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by Zetmolm

Are you sure that the Kindle comes with the full versions of those dictionaries? That would be EUR 297 worth of dictionaries on a device that costs a lot less! (Both the paper and the e-version of these dictionaries cost 99 euros each.)

I have the same doubt. The Kobos have the Van Dale Pocketwoordenboeken (Pocket Dictionaries), which are both a lot smaller and a lot cheaper (a much more reasonable €10 each). If the Kindles have the full versions, that would indeed be a cheap way to get them

[Doitsu]

Originally Posted by Zetmolm

Are you sure that the Kindle comes with the full versions of those dictionaries?

I'm pretty sure of it, since Amazon tends to license the most well-known dictionaries. (The only exception is the French dictionary, which was provided by a largely unknown data provider.)
If you happen to have access to a print edition of the Dutch-English version, have a look at the definition screen capture (2_definition_example.png) and compare it with the print edition.

@mbovenka and @davidfor if you happen to know a word whose definition is missing in the pocket dictionary, but can be found in the full edition, let me know, and I'll try to look it up.

eInk Kindle Dictionary search features (PW2 and other 5.6.x firmware devices)

If the UI is set to Dutch, readers can search for words on the home screen (1_lookup_screen.png) and if the word was found, they can tap the Woordenboek (dictionary) option to display the definition from the default Dutch dictionary (2_definition_example.png).

Readers can of course also look up words in books by selecting them (3_popup_definition.png) and open the dictionary by tapping the triple dot icon. Once the dictionary is open, its index can be searched (4_dictionary_index.png).

Disclaimer: The Van Dale dictionaries don't come pre-installed and can only be downloaded by registered Kindle owners with a relatively recent Kindle (PW2 or better).

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by Doitsu

@mbovenka and @davidfor if you happen to know a word whose definition is missing in the pocket dictionary, but can be found in the full edition, let me know, and I'll try to look it up.

No need, I think. The first definition screen capture shows 'Groot woordenboek Nederlands-Engels (Dutch-Englis...' at the top, and the other has 'Van Dale Groot woordenboek Nederlands-Engels' at the bottom.

Unless Van Dale is pulling a fast one, they are indeed the full versions. Impressive!

[HarryT]

Having had both Kindles and a Kobo H2O, and being a person who uses dictionaries a lot, I've found the Kindle's dictionaries to be much better than the Kobo's. If dictionaries are important to the OP, it's certainly a point to consider.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Some dictionaries support searching and some don't; it depends on the rights Amazon have bought in their licence for that particular dictionary.

Really? I haven't seen that before... then again, I only use the one dictionary!