Lexitron

[DavidHouston]

There is a new version of Lexitron available for download, version 2.6. This new version adds sound files for dictionary entries, IPA transcription ("แสดงคำอ่านทั้งคำศัพท์ภาษาไทยและคำศัพท์ภาษาอังกฤษในรูปแบบ IPA"), and a new screen interface. It appears that all existing features, such as English and Thai definitions, synonyms and antonyms, and sample sentences have been retained. I cannot yet tell whether the number of vocabulary words has been expanded or not.

See http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/vocabsuggestion/download.php

Note that in order to download files, you must register and be a member. See http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/memberBenefit.html

Lexitron is a free Thai-English-Thai dictionary produced by NECTEC, the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center.

The download file is fairly large, 550 megabites, and it took 45 minutes for me to download this morning.

I will report further if I find more features or differences from the prior version.

Any other experiences? Thanks.

[withnail]

I've been using version 2.5, which already had sound and it is pretty good. Again, I don't know the dictionary well enough to say if there is any difference in content, but it looks better than the old one that I hadn't actually used for some time. My guess is that 2.6 is a minor update to 2.5 not a major one, but I'll let you know if I notice any differences.

edit: on checking the site http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/introLex_current.php I've noticed that the info for current version says 2.5 apart from in the logo

The only thing which I don't like about Lexitron is the time it takes to start and search for a word. It's not that bad but if I have Firefox open already it's practically as quick to just go to www.thai2english.com. The example sentences of course are excellent.

Edited January 15, 2009 by withnail

[DavidHouston]

From the vocabulary I have looked up so far, the newer version seems to have fewer English translation words for each Thai word. For example,

old version: ลิ่วล้อ [N] follower; henchman; lackey

new version: ลิ่วล้อ /lîwˑlɔ́ː/ [N] follower

Why would they do that?

[DavidHouston]

Seems to me that the Nectec folks are experimenting with mechanical pronunciations schemes. See:

ปรโลก /pɔ̄ːˑráˑlôːk/ [N] next world

Syn. ปรโลก,ชีวิตหลังความตาย,โลกหลังความตาย

Example : ผมหวังว่าเราคงได้พบกันในปรโลก

Related word: ชีวิตหลังความตาย, โลกหลังความตาย

Note that the sound file does not match the IPA transcription. The latter seems correct to me; the former a mechanical guess. Anyone have a similar experience?

[Rikker]

I have trouble explaining any of what NECTEC does...

Nothing on the website explains the changes in the new version? Let me have a look.

[DavidHouston]

From the vocabulary I have looked up so far, the newer version seems to have fewer English translation words for each Thai word. For example,

old version: ลิ่วล้อ [N] follower; henchman; lackey

new version: ลิ่วล้อ /lîwˑlɔ́ː/ [N] follower

Why would they do that?

Furthermore, it seems that words that were in the older version are missing in the newer, 2.6, version. See, for example,

สยบ [V] accept; recognize; embrace . . .

สยบ [V] defeat; beat; conquer; overcome

[katana]

Same problem as last year when trying to register.

It allows you to fill out the form, but then never sends the email with the password, so can't log in and download any files.

Anyone have any luck in registering recently?

[rch1023]

Same problem as last year when trying to register.

It allows you to fill out the form, but then never sends the email with the password, so can't log in and download any files.

Anyone have any luck in registering recently?

As you say, same problem.

However, I cheated. I told it I had forgotten my password, and it promptly displayed it for me. Howzzat!

[katana]

That worked. Cool, thanks!

[auserb]

Same problem as last year when trying to register.

It allows you to fill out the form, but then never sends the email with the password, so can't log in and download any files.

Anyone have any luck in registering recently?

As you say, same problem.

However, I cheated. I told it I had forgotten my password, and it promptly displayed it for me. Howzzat!

I gegistered but how do I use the program. there is no sound. please help me with this program I am novice in thai languges but willing to learn the language

[DavidHouston]

Same problem as last year when trying to register.

It allows you to fill out the form, but then never sends the email with the password, so can't log in and download any files.

Anyone have any luck in registering recently?

As you say, same problem.

However, I cheated. I told it I had forgotten my password, and it promptly displayed it for me. Howzzat!

I registered but how do I use the program. there is no sound. please help me with this program I am novice in thai languges but willing to learn the language

Unfortunately, the Lexitron tool and the website is not really directed at us novices in the Thai language. It is aimed, more specifically, at Thai students and their language needs. In fact, Lexitron is built and is maintained by Nectec, the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, in Thailand. Thus, its orientation is systems, not language. This does not mean that the tool is not valuable but it does not incorporate all the scholarship that, for example, the Royal Institute Dictionary does.

For me, the best way to use Lexitron is to download the dictionary in its entirety to your computer. If you do this, and manage to install it successfully, you need not be on-line to use Lexitron. The download process took me about 45 minutes and your download time will depend on your connection speed. One more limitation. The successful use of Lexitron on your computer depends in large part on the language configuration of your computer.

Let us know if you have any problems after the download, should you choose to do so. Someone will certainly be able to assist you.

As to use in the Internet context, at http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/index1.php merely copy and paste, or type, a Thai word into the input box where it says "ใส่คำศัพท์ ( ไทย หรือ อังกฤษ ) ที่คุณต้องการค้นหา" ("insert a word (Thai or English) which you wish to look up"). For example, if you enter "เหงือก" and hit "Enter" you will get, "พื่อช่วยเราพัฒนาระบบให้ดียิ่งขึ้น ขอเชิญเลือกความหมายที่ท่านใช้งาน

เหงือก (1) - N - gill

เหงือก (2) - N - gum"

How spiffy is that!

Best of luck!