Electronic Dictionary

Nowadays, people prefer flexibilities. They will do anything as easily as they c

an. Therefore, they will almost take advantage on any new technology gadget when
ever they can. Technology has grown so fast, and people are getting more depende
nt on it. They use technology like internet to search for information. And when
it comes to learning English, people prefer to use a gadget called an electronic
dictionary. An electronic dictionary is a small handheld computer with integrat
ed reference materials. Electronic dictionary is flexible very easy to bring. Mo
st electronic dictionaries in Indonesia contain bilingual dictionary, in this ca
se, Indonesian-English and English-Indonesian. An electronic dictionary may cont
ain hundreds of thousands of words that can be translated in both languages, hel
ping users to understand the meaning of a word. It is very useful for tourists,
they dont have to bring a written dictionary either the big one or the pocket one
-, they only have to type a word that they dont understand and they can get the
translation as soon as possible. Some electronic dictionary has entertaining fea
tures, too because it is equipped with some common games. Besides the tourists,
the students use electronic dictionary to help them learn English or to help the
m do their assignments. Many times students rely so much on an electronic dictio
nary. But I think the students shouldnt be too dependent on an electronic diction
ary for several reasons, in spite of the benefits it brings.
An electronic dictionary has some drawbacks. First, an electronic dictionary is
more expensive than a written dictionary. An electronic dictionary uses batterie
s, programs, and also the machine so it will be costly in them. Batteries will r
un out of energy, so we need to buy new batteries and change the olds. Written d
ictionary is made only of paper. For example, one of the most complete electroni
c dictionaries costs $165, which contains the widely-used Peter Salims English-In
donesian Dictionary, Peter Salims Indonesian-English Dictionary, and the New Oxfo
rd-American Dictionary (Are you sure about this, Oxford-American or Oxford-Engli
sh). It also has other features like scientific calculator, an alarm-clock, game
s, and an MP3. One of the cheapest electronic dictionary will cost $15. It is a
bilingual dictionary: Indonesian-English and English-Indonesian. It contains 140
.000 words only. While a written dictionary costs lesser. There are so many pira
ted written dictionaries sold at local book stores for only about $2.
Second, written dictionary lasts longer than electronic dictionary. An electroni
c dictionary is more sensitive. If an electronic dictionary falls to the ground,
it will be broken easily, or worse, cant be use anymore. Different impact will h
appen to written dictionary. It doesnt have such risk. If it falls, it will be st
ay alright.
Third, an Electronic Dictionary is not as complete as written dictionary. So far
, an electronic dictionary doesnt have the phonetic transcriptions which help the
users understand the right pronunciation of a word. Some English words have man
y meanings. An electronic dictionary doesnt have produce the right pronunciation
of words so it is hard for us to know how to say the words properly. An electron
ic dictionary also doesnt tell the type of a noun we use, whether it is uncountab
le or countable. On the other side, a written dictionary has those things above,
which an electronic dictionary doesnt have.
Because of the explanations above, people should be aware that despite its flexi
bility, an electronic dictionary should not be a must for English language learn
ers. It is alright to use an electronic dictionary just to know the meaning of a
word, but to know more about the usage and the context of a word, it as advisab
le that people use written version.