Phrase books or dictionaries?
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
August 9, 2010 3:43pm CST
When you visit a country where you don't speak the language do you buy phrase books or dictionaries or do you try to manage the different situations without those things? If you could only bring one book would you choose a dictionary or a phrase book? Why?
I am planning a trip at the moment, I am going to visit several countries where I don't speak the language and I am trying to decide which phrase books or dictionaries to buy.
In some situations I find phrasebooks very useful for instanse when I eat at a restaurant and don't know the names of the different kinds of food. It is easy to find the different dishes in a phrase book, because they are organized according to categories. In other situations I prefer a dictionary for instanse if I don't understand a sign or a timetable. I am thinking about buying a phrasebook that covers many different countries in Eastern Europe, because that would be easier than carrying many different books.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@jonnifc (1017)
• Philippines
10 Aug 10
I like having a phrase book because it shows you the foreign words as they are used in normal conversation. I try to buy one months before I travel so that I become familiar with the words already. I have also just recently found this site on the net that translates your words for you. Yahoo Babel Fish. Check it out! It's fun!
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
11 Aug 10
I have heard about Babel Fish, but I have never tried to use it. I think I will have a look at the site. I also like to buy phrase books before my trip so that I am able to learn some of the common words for instanse words like "entrance", "exit", "woman" and "men", it is pretty useful to know that kind of things. I still remember standing in front of the toiletdoors wondering which one to choose, because I didn't understand the words 
I also like to learn other kinds of words like words from the timetables or the names of the food.
I also like to learn other kinds of words like words from the timetables or the names of the food.
@qianyun6 (2067)
• China
10 Aug 10
To my knowledge, a dictionary usually contains usual-used phrases related on the words, but a phrase book doesn't explain each word in the phase. So if I can only choose one, I prefer a dictionary. Of course, if I can have both, it's much better. It's inconvenient to find a specified phase in a dictionary because usually it don't index phrases.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
10 Aug 10
Yes, a phrase book doesn't explain each word in the phrase, and sometimes it is difficult to understand the phrases when you don't know the language at all. When you have a basic knowledge of the language it is often a bit easier. Sometimes when I buy a dictionary in another country it is created for users in that country, and the grammer, pronounciation and other kinds of information is about English instead, so it is not that useful for tourists
@jerikjames (1041)
• Philippines
10 Aug 10
I would say an expensive dictionary. Dictionaries which costs more than pocket ones have their own list of phrases you could use should you visit a country which speaks that language. It's a little expensive yeah, but it's better than a phrase book with limited vocabulary or a pocket dictionary with no phrases. At least with that kind of dictionary, you'll have phrases, and you can also substitute the words in the dictionary which applies to the situation you'll be using it with.
Dictionaries which costs more than pocket ones have their own list of phrases you could use should you visit a country which speaks that language. It's a little expensive yeah, but it's better than a phrase book with limited vocabulary or a pocket dictionary with no phrases. At least with that kind of dictionary, you'll have phrases, and you can also substitute the words in the dictionary which applies to the situation you'll be using it with.1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
10 Aug 10
That is a good idea 
It is useful to have a list of phrases for instanse if I want to ask a question in a shop etc and don't speak the language. I have often been in a situation where the locals didn't speak English and where it was difficult for me to express the things I wanted. On the other hand it is can also be frustrating if I need to translate a word from the local language to my language and don't have a dictionary. I am an independent traveller, and I always arrange everything on my own: Transportation, accomodation etc and I often need to translate a timetable or a sign.
It is useful to have a list of phrases for instanse if I want to ask a question in a shop etc and don't speak the language. I have often been in a situation where the locals didn't speak English and where it was difficult for me to express the things I wanted. On the other hand it is can also be frustrating if I need to translate a word from the local language to my language and don't have a dictionary. I am an independent traveller, and I always arrange everything on my own: Transportation, accomodation etc and I often need to translate a timetable or a sign.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
10 Aug 10
That is true, it takes a while to get used to the way that the book has been created and get used to the different categories. In some situations the categories are very useful for instanse when you the need to translate the names of different kinds of food. Sometimes there is a category called "common signs" or something like that, I usually read that. Memorizing words like "No trespassing" can save you from some embarrasing situations sometimes 
