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Need Translation Device Advice
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Posted by: 11wishes

Hello,
I could use some advice in buying a Russian translator. I have been looking on the web and the sheer number of products available is mind boggling. My lady speaks English quite well, but sometimes we get stuck on a word that she does not know. I am traveling to see her in August and I would like to find a translation device or book small enough to carry with me. As I said, her English is quite good, and often translating just one word into Russian triggers understanding. I don't need something complicated or in dept. Most of the time when she doesn't understand me I can give her synonyms and she picks right up on the meaning. However, sometimes we get stuck. For example, she came down with a cold a few weeks ago and went to the doctor. I asked her if she had to get a shot...this totally stumped her. I tried the words "injection", "needle", and "syringe", but we were at a lost. In situations like this, translating just one word makes all the difference. I would really appreciate any suggestions the other board members have.

Thanks very much!

Dustin

Posted by: ConnerVT

The English word you were looking for was 'immunization'. Isn't it funny how sometimes a conversation turns into a game of $10,000 Pyramid?

If size is your primary concern, I can recommend the Langenscheidt Universal Russian Dictionary. Mine has made six trips to Russia, and is very small and durable.

Posted by: Jim_FL

She would have also understood "vaccine" immediately too

Best thing you can do is to pick up a PYCCKÈÈ-English dictionary over there, they'll have many to choose from at any book store.

Oddly, the best one we've found was the dictionary Lil's mom used when she was in school - small size but very comprehensive.
Lonely Planet has a little phrase book with a LIMITED dictionary. The advantage to this one is that it has the russian words transliterated (spelled using roman letters, and english sounds) so when you hear the word you can find it in the book. To my knowledge, this is the only dictionary configured this way. It also has the words spelled properly, using Cyrillic alphabet too, so she can look things up as well. It is small enough to throw in your pocket, and runs about $11.00 at B&N, Borders, Amazon, etc..

Everyone I know that has purchased the electronic varieties, agree on one thing - they suck.

Posted by: lindochka

Quote:

Everyone I know that has purchased the electronic varieties, agree on one thing - they suck.

Well, Jim, we haven't met (ochen' priyatno!) but I have to disagree with your take on the electronic translators. I was very fond of my Ectaco Language Teacher, which did yeoman duty for me on a nearly daily basis for three years until it died. Mine spoke French in addition to English and Russian, and I used it for both work and travel.

However, I could see where they'd be problematic for regular use by most English speakers, because they're really designed more for Russian speakers working on their English rather than for English speakers working on their Russian. English speakers who really don't know Russian would probably be better served by a decent dictionary or phrasebook, and I'd defer to the experience of others for something convenient and portable. (I swear by my Oxford "pocket" dictionary even though one would need a huge pocket to accommodate it!)

Posted by: Jim_FL

Quote:

Originally posted by lindochka
Well, Jim, we haven't met (ochen' priyatno!)

ya tozha, zdrastvuite lindochka!
Well now I HAVE met someone who has something good to say about them

My experience is limited and I am only going by second hand info, but the biggest recurring complaint was that the translators knew tons of words that the user knew, but seemed to never know the word being searched for, or like "shots" above, the query had to be rephrased 8 times to get a match.

Posted by: lindochka

They don't work well for anglophones who don't know any Russian, that's for sure. And as much as I loved mine -- I even gave it a name -- it would have been harder for me if I didn't already know some Russian.

These devices, like translation software, also don't tend to "speak" slang ("shots," meaning vaccines/immunizations, is not standard English), and they aren't psychic. So inputting very standard vocabulary words is important or you will get a demonstration of the GIGO principle.

Posted by: Jim_FL

One of the fantastic side-effects of meeting my wife was that it forced me to articulate my points through the use of "standard english". It's astounding how much slang and idiomatic speech we use every day in the US

Posted by: ConnerVT

"Phrasal Verbs" is the term I learned from my wife's ESL class. It's the vocabulary no one ever told you about.

Here is a list of some, if you are unsure of what the term means.

Posted by: 11wishes

Quote:

Originally posted by ConnerVT
The English word you were looking for was 'immunization'. Isn't it funny how sometimes a conversation turns into a game of $10,000 Pyramid?

If size is your primary concern, I can recommend the Langenscheidt Universal Russian Dictionary. Mine has made six trips to Russia, and is very small and durable.

You hit the nail right on the head about communication sometimes being a game of $10,000 Pyramid! "Immunization", I didn't even think of that one!!! Sometimes it is frustrating when simple things are so difficult...and both of us are stubborn, so when we get stuck it is almost a matter of pride and we will go on and on with the synonym game...determined to understand each other. I shouldn't complain though, I am very lucky, her English is excellent compaired to most Russian women.

Thanks for the advice, I ordered the Langenscheidt from Amazon. $10 including shipping!

I'm going to Russia in August and I'll post a review when I get home.

Posted by: ConnerVT

It gets easier, the more time you spend conversing with someone. You begin to learn their vocabulary, and tend to chose your words from it more.

Of course, now we cheat a little bit, and use our young son as a walking, "talking translation device." He's small, but not enough to fit in your pocket.

Posted by: earthlinker

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11wishes

Hello,
I could use some advice in buying a Russian translator. I have been looking on the web and the sheer number of products available is mind boggling. My lady speaks English quite well, but sometimes we get stuck on a word that she does not know. I am traveling to see her in August and I would like to find a translation device or book small enough to carry with me. As I said, her English is quite good, and often translating just one word into Russian triggers understanding. I don't need something complicated or in dept. Most of the time when she doesn't understand me I can give her synonyms and she picks right up on the meaning. However, sometimes we get stuck. For example, she came down with a cold a few weeks ago and went to the doctor. I asked her if she had to get a shot...this totally stumped her. I tried the words "injection", "needle", and "syringe", but we were at a lost. In situations like this, translating just one word makes all the difference. I would really appreciate any suggestions the other board members have.

Thanks very much!

Dustin

Dustin,
I am from Atlanta too!! I found (online) a Partner ER200DM Russian/English translator ($125.00). (Small enought to put in your pocket) It has 500,000 words and phrases. You input Russian - then display English equivilent or visa versa!! If you really want to go to the top, get Microsoft Office (WORD) 2003! It has a automatic link to a translation service for free! You type letter, it will translate it either Russian to English of the other way! All free! But there are a few kinks!! My Russian lady loves the phase "by the way" which translates to "Beside the road"!!! Good luck!!