A question about translation dictionaries

Nate the great · 05-31-2009, 10:19 PM

As you may know, I am leading a discussion about adding dictionary support to Epub. A question has come up that I would like to ask everyone who reads in a second language.

What is the most common type of definition in a translation dictionary? Is the definition usually a 1 or 2 words, or is it usually a longer description?

Do you prefer the short or long definition?

Thank you.

P.S. If someone could post a similar question in the other language forums I would deeply appreciate it.

Jellby · 06-01-2009, 05:58 AM

Dictionaries often have (and I like that) examples of usage, idioms, nuances, synonyms... An exact one-to-one correspondence between words in different languages is not common, so definitions won't usually be just 1 or 2 words, with the exception of somewhat technical words.

HarryT · 06-01-2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

What is the most common type of definition in a translation dictionary? Is the definition usually a 1 or 2 words, or is it usually a longer description?

Longer, definitely. Good dictionaries will have example of usage for each different meaning of the word. As Jelly very rightly says, there is very rarely an exact "one to one" correspondence between a word in one language and a word in another, so examples are vital to convey all the different nuances of meaning.

Nate the great · 06-01-2009, 02:46 PM

Thank you.

This question came up as an objection to the way I suggested to build an index. It would consist of entries like: <a href="dictionary.html#d_somenumberX">dictionary</a>, with a corresponding anchor in the text. There was concern that the index might end up larger than the dictionary.

I looked at the WordNet dictionary, and the entries seemed to average at least twice as long as that link.

Anyway, that's just one possible way an index might be built. I don't know that we'll use it.

astra · 06-05-2009, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

As you may know, I am leading a discussion about adding dictionary support to Epub. A question has come up that I would like to ask everyone who reads in a second language.

Where is the topic?

Nate the great · 06-05-2009, 08:10 AM

Here is one and the other:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47282
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47861

05-31-2009, 10:19 PM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	A question about translation dictionaries As you may know, I am leading a discussion about adding dictionary support to Epub. A question has come up that I would like to ask everyone who reads in a second language. What is the most common type of definition in a translation dictionary? Is the definition usually a 1 or 2 words, or is it usually a longer description? Do you prefer the short or long definition? Thank you. P.S. If someone could post a similar question in the other language forums I would deeply appreciate it.

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06-01-2009, 05:58 AM	#2
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,543 Karma: 19001583 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	Dictionaries often have (and I like that) examples of usage, idioms, nuances, synonyms... An exact one-to-one correspondence between words in different languages is not common, so definitions won't usually be just 1 or 2 words, with the exception of somewhat technical words.

06-01-2009, 02:46 PM	#4
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Thank you. This question came up as an objection to the way I suggested to build an index. It would consist of entries like: <a href="dictionary.html#d_somenumberX">dictionary</a>, with a corresponding anchor in the text. There was concern that the index might end up larger than the dictionary. I looked at the WordNet dictionary, and the entries seemed to average at least twice as long as that link. Anyway, that's just one possible way an index might be built. I don't know that we'll use it.

06-05-2009, 08:10 AM	#6
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Here is one and the other: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47282 https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47861

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