[JITF2020] Getting the most out of dictionaries 2020
Akira Takahashi
Akira “hatter” Takahashi. Business translator who loves SFX from before the era of CG, hats and dictionaries more than anything. Translation school lecturer. Director and Vice-Chair of Japan Translation Federation (JTF). Translation school instructor. After doubling as a cram school teacher and translator of all trades, and then working as an in-house translator for a localization translation company, went freelance in 2007. Currently specializes in IT, marketing and other translation work. Recently disseminating information on dictionary environments used by translators and “how to read dictionaries” from translators’ groups such as Honyaku Forum, (fhonyaku.jp) etc.
Blog:http://baldhatter.txt-nifty.com/misc/
Getting the most out of dictionaries 2020
Dictionaries are an indispensable tool for translators and interpreters. With the possible exception of linguistic geniuses, ordinary people like us could never get our work done without dictionaries. If so, do you properly understand and make best use of this essential tool? For instance —
① The dictionary and translation software manufacturer LogoVista sells a product called the “Merriam-Webster’s Advanced LEARNER’s ENGLISH DICTIONARY.” The online version of the ② Merriam Webster Dictionary can be used free of charge (https://www.merriam-webster.com/). Meanwhile, ③ though also online, Merriam Webster Unabridged is a paid service. ④ “Webster’s Third New International Dictionary” refers to the third edition published in 1961. So what in the world is the difference between ① through ④?
COBUILD is popular as a learner level English to English dictionary, but do you know what its key features are?
“According to the ‘Kojien’ …” is an often-heard phrase, but is the “Kojien” all that a translator or interpreter needs?
Along with answers to such questions, an updated 2020 version of tips and tricks for proper use of dictionaries will be provided. Please join if you were unable to answer the above questions!