Desktop Computer Review: Franklin Speaking Merriam Webster Spanish English Dictionary (BES-2100) Review

Some of the problems other users have found with this device are logical design implementations. I'll mention some. The processing is slower for battery conservation reasons. If you lower the contrast, it's still clearly readable and you'll extend the battery life even more.The text size can be permanently changed via the settings option. This device far exceeded my expectations. In the future, better headphones (the one's they give are very big for the average ear), will add some major points to this already great product.In addition, the device could use a separate rechargeable Li-battery (or other comparable internal power storage) that'll recharge the device via the USB port to prevent losing the data stored in settings and the customizable folders; sort of like the small battery used to power the CMOS chip in your pc that, in short, holds all the information needed to start you pc properly. If you don't send electrical current to your pc over a long period of time, that battery will drain and die, along with all the boot-up information.Very sad. It's the same deal here, only it happens much quicker (if you take more than a couple seconds to switch your batteries.Backup your data. Don't get all mental with the thing like you do your Blackberry, iPhone, etc., or it will freeze and you'll have to reset it, thereby losing your data. You'll be able to "feel" the device out within the first 30 minutes, knowing how fast you can push it. I would remove the "word of the day" function as the device has no "permanent on" function, so after 5 (or less, depending on the setting) minutes, it'll shut-off and you'll have to take extra time to bypass the word of the day again. Cumbersome, if you're doing a lot of translating during your readings.
If you are not already committed to a Spanish learning program or the one your using is not working out for you, I have some tips if you haven't had the time to collect your own. It's for those really wanting to be in command of the Spanish language. A good command of basic Spanish grammar is essential if this is going to be of good benefit to you. There's a book you can buy on Amazon called "Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners"; it's the one I used, but there are many.If you've taken a foreign language immersion course, they'll tell you repeatedly not to get bogged down on grammar.Once you use the below methods, the grammar will automatically kick in in many cases (by "kick in", I mean the subconscious decoding of the language itself). Buy used DVD's of your favorite movies and put the subtitles on.When the subtitles display on the screen, press the pause button.Picture the scene visually in your head and say the phrase from the screen. Do not translate in your head, "ok, this in English, means this in Spanish". Listen to the Actor/Actresses lines only for context. While the DVD is paused, visualize the scene while saying the phrase.This will imprint the language and it's corresponding visual imagery in the visual processing centers of the brain. Storing information visually in your head will work thousands of times faster than plain rote-memorization. DVD's that are emotional are especially effective as they also involve the Limbic system located in your brain, which governs emotions.Think back on your past and you'll find the most vivid memories involved strong emotions, good or bad. Emotions, strong visual imagery, and verbalizing the Spanish translation only will speed up your foreign language learning drastically. You may want to go to the FSI Language Site for free intensive Spanish study material.It's all digital and it's public domain, so it's free. This is the same material used to teach Government personal.There are many people copying the material and selling this stuff on different websites.Do not be taken.It is free.The website is-[...].As in [...].If the web site is not shown in the previous sentence, just type "FSI language courses org" in google and you're there. With programs like Rosetta Stone, you can hold a basic conversation when you're through all the programs.With these, you'll be able to work as a bona fide translator, once you work on your speed. You rarely see these programs marketed all over the place because you have to more than just want to have a strong command of the language. The material is somewhat dull and extremely repetitive; the only way you'll get it engraved in your head, so it's second-nature. Learning a new language is not peaches and berries (did I say that right?), so just look at your goal. The end result.There's a ton of other languages on there too. You're paying for the imagery with Rosetta Stone.The only problem is the lack of "original awareness" in those programs. You're using their images to learn the language, instead of your own which are far more effective in memorizing the material.These are hardcore, requiring the amount of time that most people nowadays are just not willing to put in. I'm from la, so not learning the language edged me out of positions that I wanted. Very, very frustrating. I purchased popular books for Amazon, such as Jurassic Park and Misery in both English and Spanish and also popular books for reading the language as it is spoken in everyday language. The content is the same. I stayed away from recently published ones, as the Spanish translations in those tend to be pricey. I looked for subjects (via the Amazon query search box) that included everyday language and then put the word "Spanish" directly behind the specific name of the book I wanted; this pulled up (if any) the Spanish editions. Huge bestsellers will more than likely have a Spanish edition. My favorite way was to use Google translator to take Spanish news sites and translate them into English. You can download the toolbar for easy one-click access that translates it in a second. I print both and use the English one only as a reference when I need help (it isn't perfect, but it's very good compared to the software of the old days). Update since last post: I just discovered the Oxford Spanish Dictionary on CD-rom.This thing is a beast and incredibly useful if you don't need a mobile dictionary-like this Franklin speaking dictionary-for on the go. It has one-click access to pronunciation for each entry, "copy and paste" talking function for anything you find on the web, split-second searches and tons of sentence usages for helping your brain decode the language.It's a must buy for anyone who has constant access to a desktop or laptop who want to know the language inside and out, and as always, can be found at a great price on Amazon. I can only find a Windows version for it though. These programs, the visualization techniques , the novels, the DVD's, reading the news sites with Google translator and this Franklin Spanish dictionary, allow you to create your own immersive program without having to sell your family to move to Costa Rica. That and about 5 hours a day. It was worth it. One more important note from many well-known linguists: Never translate English into Spanish when learning the language.Spanish rarely translates directly to English in a "clean" way. Grab the idea and the corresponding mental pictures and connect those to your learned Spanish. When you learn the translation of something, you dump the English translation after grabbing the idea (mental picture); then you use that idea as a reference when attempting to construct your sentences in the future. You do not want to etch direct English-Spanish or Spanish-English translations in your brain. It was a habit I had to learn to unlearn.On final note: About a couple hundred hours into intensive foreign language study, it'll "click". From there, it's all about vocabulary and learning the individual nuances involved in the language. People usually quit before this can happen. Your brain will reward you for intensive and focused effort.Good luck.

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Product Description:
Whether you're a student, professional or first-time traveler, this speaking Spanish-English Dictionary helps you learn English and Spanish words quickly and easily. Perfectly sized so you can slip it into your pocket or bookbag, yet powerful enough to provide 5 million translations to build your vocabulary - and 4,800 recorded phrases to perfect your pronunciation. Create your own personal word lists and dictionary entries by connecting the device to your PC or Mac, via the enclosed USB cable, download your entries - and take it with you on the go! Phonetic Spell Correction fixes your misspelled entries. It even has scalable fonts and adjustable volume control to ensure you'll see and hear every syllable. Demo included for step-by-step instructions.

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