Seiko Instruments Inc. (Abbreviation: SII; COO: Akio Irie; Head Office: 1-8 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba; Tel: +81-43-211-1111) will release three models of electronic dictionaries ideal for learning foreign languages: “SR-T5020 (French)/-T5030 (Chinese)/-T5040 (Italian).” These dictionaries combine French, Chinese and Italian dictionaries of established reputation with the must-have dictionaries for the English language student, such as the “Genius English-Japanese Dictionary (*1)” and the “Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.”
The models to be released combine the contents of “SR-T5000 (*2),” which has enjoyed a good reputation among English language learners, with a foreign language other than English (French, Chinese and Italian, respectively). The included dictionaries were selected based on the needs of users of foreign language dictionaries other than English dictionaries, making the electronic dictionaries a good aid for efficient language learning. The Chinese language model combines DHC’s “Chuugokugo Kaiwa Tossa no Hitokoto Jiten” (“Dictionary of Chinese for Unexpected Situations”), which is filled with everyday, real conversational sentences and phrases heard in China today, with Shogakukan’s Chinese-Japanese and Japanese-Chinese dictionaries of established reputation. The dictionary can be used as a tool in business and the like, allowing the user to step in and be effective immediately.
Designed with a focus on foreign language learning, the French and Italian models utilize the respective dictionaries “Easy Learning French Dictionary” and “Easy Learning Italian Dictionary,” which enable students to learn French and Italian through English. The dictionaries allow the user to learn a foreign language from both Japanese and English perspective, a feature no other dictionary provides.
These dictionaries employ a PC-like keyboard with a lightweight, thin and compact body, and are loaded with preferred functions unique to Seiko electronic dictionaries, such as a real-time search and preview feature and example sentence search feature, making them exceptionally convenient and easy to use.
In addition, the models to be released are environment-conscious products (ECP) (green products) certified by SII’s internal standards in accordance with ISO 14021 Environment Label Type II (self-declared environmental claim).
*1: Industry’s first as of May 2003.
*2: “SR-T500” is an electronic dictionary released in January 2003, which includes nine dictionaries such as the “Genius English-Japanese Dictionary,” “Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary,” “Eikaiwa Tossa no Hitokoto Jiten” (“Dictionary of English for Unexpected Situations”), and “Koujien,” a comprehensive Japanese-Japanese dictionary.
[SR-T5020 (French) Dictionary Features]
1.Obunsha’s “Petit Royal French-Japanese Dictionary, Third Edition”
Approx. 40,000 main word entries
This dictionary provides many features which will aid the student learning the French language, such as synonym options which make word meaning distinctions easy to understand, many conversational examples and a conversation column, and “Points” and “Usage” sections which draw attention to critical grammar issues. The dictionary is a trusted standby that is used by beginners and advanced learners alike.
2.Obunsha’s “Petit Royal Japanese-French Dictionary, Second Edition”
Approx. 45,000 main word entries
This dictionary provides many features which will aid the student learning the French language, such as Japanese idiomatic expressions, synonym options which clarify word usage, and columns which help improve conversational proficiency. The dictionary is a trusted standby that is used by beginners and advanced learners alike.
3.Collins’ “Easy Learning French Dictionary”
French-English (approx. 18,000 main word entries), English-French (approx. 18,000 main word entries)
This is a French-English/English-French dictionary that allows the user to study French while employing the English language. The dictionary features learning considerations, such as the attachment of gender-specific and quantity-specific definite articles to noun entries. This French learner’s dictionary allows students to use the breadth of their English knowledge to their advantage, and is ideal for beginners to intermediate-level students.
[SR-T5030 (Chinese) Dictionary Features]
1.Beijing Commercial Press and Shogakukan Joint Compilation: “Chinese-Japanese Dictionary, First Edition”
Single kanji characters (approx. 13,000), Words (approx. 85,000)
Jointly compiled by publishers in both China and Japan, this full-scale dictionary designed for beginners and advanced learners alike presents vocabulary and detailed grammar explanations that will aid the Japanese student of the Chinese language, using rich, everyday examples in explanations of grammar points – such as particles, adverbs and complements – that are difficult for a native Japanese speaker to grasp.
2.Beijing University of International Business and Economics, Beijing Commercial Press and Shogakukan Joint Compilation: “Japanese-Chinese Dictionary, First Edition”
Approx. 83,000 main word entries
Jointly compiled by publishers in both China and Japan, this dictionary is filled with modern Chinese expressions and practical examples. Taking into account beginners as well, this full-scale dictionary presents pinyin notation (in Roman characters) for all words, making the dictionary useful for beginners and advanced learners alike.
3.DHC’s “Chuugoku Kaiwa Tossa no Hitokoto Jiten” (“Dictionary of Chinese for Unexpected Situations”)
Approx. 5,000 conversational phrases
This dictionary presents conversational expressions which give one a feel of contemporary China. Many of the conversational phrases include both pinyin and kana pronunciation guides, making the dictionary a comfortable resource for beginners as well. This dictionary is the definitive Chinese conversation edition which accommodates all situations, from touring to business trips to long-term stays.
[SR-T5040 (Italian) Dictionary Features]
1.Shogakukan’s “Italian-Japanese Dictionary, Second Edition, Newly Revised and Updated”
Approx. 75,000 main word entries
Known as “the green dictionary,” this dictionary is a classic in its field. The dictionary includes a rich variety of information, from basic language required for everyday living to technical terminology and new words. Because the dictionary gives explanations specific to Japanese-Italian elements and presents detailed descriptions regarding basic expressions, the dictionary is one of the largest electronic dictionaries in Japan which helps the user understand Japanese and Italian bi-directionally.
2. Shogakukan’s “Japanese-Italian Dictionary, First Edition”
Approxi. 40,000 main word entries
Known as “the red dictionary,” this dictionary is a classic in its field. The dictionary includes new words and expressions from a broad array of fields, such as politics, medicine, environmental issues, computers, soccer and fashion. This comprehensive, full-scale dictionary helps the student gain an understanding of Italian while getting a feel for the language of today.
3.Collins’ “Easy Learning Italian Dictionary”
Italian-English (22,000 main word entries), English-Italian (19,000 main word entries)
This Italian-English/English-Italian dictionary allows the user to learn Italian using the English language. Designed with thoughtful consideration to the language learner, the dictionary presents an abundance of example sentences, gives noun entries with definitive articles, and presents descriptions eliminating symbols and other abbreviations to the extent possible. This dictionary is the ideal Italian language dictionary for beginners to intermediate-level students.
All three models include nine dictionaries: “Genius English-Japanese Dictionary,” “Genius Japanese-English Dictionary,” “Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary,” “Concise Oxford Thesaurus, Second Edition (COT),” “Eikaiwa Tossa no Hitokoto Jiten” (“Dictionary of English for Unexpected Situations”), “Koujien,” “Gyakuhiki Koujien,” “Kanjigen” and “Personal Katakana Word Dictionary.” The above-described foreign language dictionaries are provided in addition to these dictionaries in the respective models.
Main Features (some search features are subject to change without notice by the day of release)
1.A preferred “full keyboard” specification for exceptionally easy entry
The dictionaries employ a full keyboard designed for a thin pocket dictionary body, that is even easier to use than previous models. The placement of the keys is designed as close to a PC keyboard as possible, resulting in natural keyboard operation free of discomfort, thereby preventing mistakes in entry.
2.A “real-time search & preview feature” that decreases the number of operational steps
This feature simultaneously executes a real-time search while suggesting and narrowing down possible entries as the user enters each character, giving a preview in the lower half of the same screen to display the translation of the possible entry highlighted above. As a result, the information to naturally enter a person’s field of vision when searching for a word while scanning pages in a paper dictionary is achieved with an electron
3.A “super jump feature” that automatically identifies the jump destination
When an unfamiliar word appears in a dictionary, the super jump feature automatically identifies the jump category (Japanese jump or English jump) by the character type specified by the cursor, and jumps to the target dictionary. In the Chinese model, this feature also supports pinyin jumps, and in the French and Italian models, conjugation jumps (*3).
*3: Partly restricted.
4.A conjugation search engine “word inflector feature (*4)” that allows the user to search for a word without paying attention to the word form
The word inflector feature displays the root form of a conjugated word, thereby allowing the user to search for a word without paying attention to the word form, such as irregular form, plural form and past tense.
*4: Partly restricted in French and Italian models.
5.A “four tone entry key” that facilitates quick Chinese searches
This feature allows the user to easily enter four-tone specific pinyin notation using the four-tone key during pinyin entry. Of course, searches can be conducted without the four-tone specification as well, allowing the user to search for the target word using a method that is most appropriate for the situation.
6.An “example sentence search feature (*5)” that richly enhances the user’s power of expression
The example sentences included in each dictionary are extremely useful when trying to learn how to use a word or understand a particular nuance when preparing a document. This feature allows the user to search multiple dictionaries for example sentences.
*5: The example sentence search feature of SR-T5030 searches English dictionaries.
7. A “vocabulary notebook feature (*6)” capable of recording looked up words
The vocabulary notebook feature can record up to 100 words per dictionary. This feature can also record items other than words, including idiomatic expressions, Koujien idiomatic phrases and Kanjigen compound words. The recorded vocabulary can be deleted as desired and maintained in memory even during battery replacement. The feature also allows the user to record up to 100 example sentences of English, French and Italian, respectively, that have been found using the example sentence search feature.
*6: Words from the Koujien and Gyakuhiki Koujien are recorded in the same notebook.
8.A wild card search feature (supports both single and multiple characters)
Regardless of whether the target word is in English, another foreign language or Japanese, this feature allows the user to search for an unknown word by placing a question mark or asterisk in the location within the word that is unknown. The feature can be used in various ways, such as combining the question mark and asterisk with the character(s) to be searched, for example: “ma*a??”. There are no restrictions pertaining to the wildcard location: the question mark or asterisk can be placed at the start, in the middle, or at the end of a word. This feature can be used to solve crossword puzzles as well.
Other available features include spell check; idiom (phrase) search; character radical, reading, stroke count search; mode key ON; font size switching; history (100 items); environment settings; and calculator features.
•Price
Retail price for each model: 45,000 yen (tax not included)
•Target sale amount
SR-T5020/-T5040: 5,000 units/month, SR-T5030 (for exclusive sale in Japan): 7,000 units/month
•Sale start date
SR-T5030: July, SR-T5040: August, SR-T5020: September
Display configuration: 240 x 320 dot matrix FSTN black and white liquid crystal
Display characters: 13 characters x 8 lines for 24 point (double-byte), 20 characters x 13 lines for 16 point (double-byte), 26 characters x 17 lines for 12 point (double-byte)
Operating temperature range: 0-40 Cº
Key arrangement: QWERTY full keyboard specifications
Size: 137(Width) x 88 (Depth) x 15.44 (Thickness) mm (closed)
Battery: Type AAA dry-cell battery x 2
Battery service life: Approx. 110 hours for an alkaline dry-cell battery (when continuously displayed)
Weight: Approx. 210g (with batteries)
Other: Supports an AC adapter
Contact Information
Press Contact
Seiko Instruments Inc.
Corporate Communications Dept.
Fax:+81-43-211-8011
Product Inquiry
Seiko Instruments Inc.
CP Service Center
Tel:+81-47-320-4696