In their own words, “It is a 100 Million Word collection of samples of written and spoken language…designed to represent a wide-cross section of British English from the later part of the 20th century.”
“The purpose of a language corpus is to provide language workers with the evidence of how language is really used…Traditional grammars and dictionaries tell us what a word ought to mean, but only experience can tell what is used to mean.”
It will give you an example of 50 examples using just their simple search.
Here is a very interesting dictionary that goes into detail about a specific word and its associated use in phrases.
Here is an example using the word good in Romanian and English.
Here is the home page where you can search multiple languages.
The site also supports a language forum where you can find an ongoing conversation of the languages.
Stop and Think
I had a friend pass this article on about cultural mistakes. It is key to think about your host culture. How people act and converse always says more than one anticipates. Good intentions are not enough to get you by. Think ahead.
Yahoo Article on Culture Mistakes in the World.
Listening is Better
Looking through the One Look Dictionary website for my most recent post, I found an absolutely amazing online talking dictionary. As the site states, “Dictionarist provides translation in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Russian, Turkish, Dutch, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dictionaries.”
It provides a number of voice and written translations between these languages and you can save your preferences.
Here is a good example of what it can do using the word Rouge. Very impressive.
What’s more you can add the search engine to your Google Toolbar or place the search engine onto your website. All for free.
Searching the web for free dictionaries, I found a great site for translators, grammar geeks, and language learners. One Look Dictionary Search is a search engine for dictionaries and a word filter site. Boy, if you are trying to translate English into a different language this is a must for a reference.
Besides English it has Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish dictionaries
The subjects include General, Art, Business, Computing, Medicine, Miscellaneous, Religion, Science, Slang, Sports, and Technology.
You can filter your word search in many different ways by browsing dictionaries according to subject, language, style of dictionary, and more.
There is even a reverse dictionary that allows you to describe a concept, and it will try to match it with words related to the subject.
I would bookmark this site without a second thought!
Which way to go?
Searching the web for a program I found a reference for The Open Directory Project. Its aim is to be the largest “human-edited directory of the web.” It is in multiple languages, and it is a good search engine to look for information in your own host culture as well as in English. A great missionary resource.
It tries to bring quality to your searches, and it is very simple to follow. It is a good way to review the different options before you chose to invest your time and more importantly your money.
Have fun investigating.
Cross by Soulbring
As a missionary, it may be tempting to break copyright law to make your life or work easier in your host country. However, there are legitimate ways to do great work.
I found a great blog page on how to find free images for your blog or website. It lists and explains a number of sites that have millions of photos. As far as I am concerned it is awesome.
Having a time trying to find that document you sent two months ago, or the conversation you had with a supporter.
You can place all your e-mail accounts onto your Microsoft Outlook for free. You can also keep all of those email files linked to the person(s) or e-mail account(s) associated to it.
Give Light and Life to Your Email
For example, I have organized the conversations I have had with my missionary co-workers from three different e-mail accounts. I can find all the documents that I have sent or received from a specific person with a click of a mouse.
Here is how to do it. You need to check the websites below and follow their step by step instructions. Not too hard check it out. Believe me it is harder to organize your e-mails on your own, or find that lost attachment!
Hotmail can be connected to your Outlook with Microsoft Office Outlook Connector.
Gmail can be connected with your Outlook. Check out Gmail Help – look down to Access Choices (how you want to connect to gmail with outlook)
Yahoo can be connected with your Outlook through using a program called Xobni. Once you download the program. You can follow the instruction easily to make Yahoo be accessible in Outlook.
Xobni Demo Video on You Tube.
Have fun Organizing.