Dictionary

[Thomas_Merton]

Could someone qualified, please give details (ISBN number plus publisher) of the best dictionary: Thai - English; English - Thai?

Thanks.

[johnh101]

http://www.thai-language.com/dict/

It is not a book but it often helps.

[sonnyJ]

I'm a happy user of Thai-English English-Thai dictionary by Benjawan Poomsan Becker, Paiboon Publishing. ISBN 1-887521-14-3.

Its 650 pages are devided in three sections, english, thai in roman, and thai. That feature comes handy if you're not a perfect thai reader yet. Almost pocket size, about an inch thick, but extensive enough for me so far. Good quality book, haven't spotted any mistakes.

Edited June 23, 2005 by sonnyJ

[Thomas_Merton]

http://www.thai-language.com/dict/

It is not a book but it often helps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks John I'm sure this will be a help at home.

I should have explained the proposed use of the dictionary.

My wife is studying for a series of examinations to qualify as a chef in the UK.

She needs a book she can have with her in the kitchen. Many of the terms are relatively specialised and do not appear to be adequately translated in the pocket book dictionary she has always used.

[Rags]

My wife is studying for a series of examinations to qualify as a chef in the UK.

She needs a book she can have with her in the kitchen. Many of the terms are relatively specialised and do not appear to be adequately translated in the pocket book dictionary she has always used.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I recall seeing a Thai-English-Thai dictionary of engineering terms in the Seacon Square branch of DK books, they may well have something similar for other professions - I will try to remember to take a look next time I am in there.

Rags

[the scouser]

For Thai-English only, the authoritative dictionary is Haas, ISBN 0-8047-0567-4. Cost £27.50 6 years ago.

Scouse.

[johnh101]

I am out of country at the moment so cannot give you the details but we have a Thai/English, English/Thai dictionary in Thailand which is about 7" high and 2 1/2" thick with a Purple cover. I got it from my old secretary as it had been recommended to her by her university lecturer as the best. I have seen it in many bookshops in Pattaya so it is probably available in all the large cities.

[Steve2UK]

Could someone qualified, please give details (ISBN number plus publisher) of the best dictionary: Thai - English; English - Thai?

Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not "qualified" myself but I think Meadish Sweetball is. Check out his post on this thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...2&hl=dictionary

You might like to PM him to ask if the one he mentions is the right one for your wife. I also have the Becker pocket-sized dictionary - great for general purpose use but it won't be detailed enough for what your wife needs.

[Kringle]

I use the Times-Chambers Learners Dictionary ISBN 974-603-704-8 Published by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd.

[HarryHacker]

http://www.thai-language.com/dict/

It is not a book but it often helps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cool site Thanks.

[Boon Mee]

This one works great for me:

http://www.thai2english.com/

And as someone has already mentioned, the Haas book is considered the authority going Thai to English.

[Thomas_Merton]

Thank you for everyone's contributions.

I think we have enough information to make our choice.

[RDN]

I'm a happy user of Thai-English English-Thai dictionary by Benjawan Poomsan Becker, Paiboon Publishing. ISBN 1-887521-14-3....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...and it has an alphabet guide that shows a lot of the different font styles that are currently used and compares them with the classic style, e.g. 'S' is an 'R' My favourite dictionary.

Web sites:

http://www.thai2english.com

http://www.thai-language.com

http://longdo.ex.nii.ac.jp

http://lexitron.nectec.or.th

[meadish_sweetball]

Hi TM,

Apart from the truly excellent job they put down on http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...2&hl=dictionary , I also recommend Mary Haas's student dictionary - for accuracy and style. Although outdated when it comes to slang (it's impossible to keep up with slang anyway, a slang lexicon is outdated before it is published), it is by far the most qualitative dictionary put together in the direction Thai - English.

Any dictionary that does not have usage examples is rather useless, anybody who has learned enough Thai can testify to that. The context for a word is essential to be able to deliver some understanding of its actual usage.

When it comes to cooking-specific terminology I am not aware of any authoritative dictionary as yet.

The less well-known Thai plants, spices, and dishes are often translated differently in different menus - what is right and what is wrong is not always clear-cut. The problem from Thai into English is often that there is no commonly used or understood word in English, simply because the concept is alien to the majority of English speakers - so sometimes the scientific name is the only 'correct' one... but using Latin in a menu is not always the best option and hardly any use to someone who just wants to know what he is going to be served.

My take on solving this issue is to use the Thai names transcribed in Latin letters in the menu and make a glossary at the back of the menu, preferably with pictures. If I had my own restaurant that is how I would solve it.

Slightly beside the topic though.

For your wife, maybe engage a service-minded bookshop assistant or librarian in England to search for an illustrated book in English with a breakdown of the terminology she needs.

This is what I have done with several things here in Thailand. Ask me about fish types I eat here in my everyday life and I'd only be able to refer to them with their Thai names - I haven't a clue what they're actually called in English or Swedish, except for the most common ones.

[sabaijai]

When I was doing Thai studies at uni, George McFarland's Thai-English dictionary was considered the one to have once you were beyond first-year Thai. Mary Haas' was considered a 'student dictionary', McFarland's a bit more comprehensive, esp when it comes to definitiions related to natural history. Also McFarland offers occasional etymological info, ie, history of certain Thai vocabulary.

For an everyday Thai-English, English-Thai volume, I'd agree that the Becker is the best.