Introduction
This is software
to support multiple parallel dictionaries on your own computer,
with programs to update and maintain the dictionaries, learn
a language, and perform OCR, with automatic recognition of each
language. Each dictionary is multi-media, with:
- up to 2 pictures for each word;
- a sound file recorded by a native speaker;
- a grammar note (in any of a dozen European languages) to explain the word usage, if necessary;
- phonetics (transliteration);
- part of speech;
- and subject area.
There are tools to find words in a dictionary by various means, and there are many reports that can be displayed, listing words in various ways (such as by subject).
The heart of this software is a generic dictionary database server, other languages can be added relatively easily. The whole suite is ideal for supporting endangered languages, such as native North American Indian and Australian Aboriginal languages, and other languages that currently have little or no educational or governmental support.
Currently, the software supports the following:
- Burmese, Chong (an endangered language spoken in Eastern Thailand), Khmer, Lao, Isaan Lao, Thai;
- Danish, Dutch, English, Esperanto, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish.
Some dictionaries will initially be empty or only partially populated, relying on volunteers to add words.
The language learning program is called "Speak Easy"; there will eventually be one for each supported language. Currently, Speak Easy Thai is available; Speak Easy Isaan Lao will be available soon. Speak Easy teaches the alphabet, and provides several fun ways of learning vocabulary. It does not currently teach grammar, but it does have a button which invokes a grammar book, which can be in any format, including HTML, DOC, TXT, PDF, etc. People who purchase the Speak Easy CD-ROM get all the files on this web site, including the protected bonus files, and a life-time free subscription to all updates, including software, dictionaries, pictures, sound files, grammar notes, etc.
The OCR program utilises the dictionaries in a second stage analysis to verify words after recognition. The OCR is currently in development; a beta test will be announced soon.
This is a continuing project, with frequent updates. There is an automatic web download program that will keep your system up to date. You don't need to download everything. If you are only interested in one or two languages, you can indicate that in the Web Update profile that is set up when you initially install the software.
The software is being tested on Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista Beta 2. There are no current plans for Linux or Macintosh versions.
All software and most data files are available for free download, including 2000 dictionary images, and 1000 Thai sound files. For people who purchase the Speak Easy CD-ROM, or donate at least US$25, or donate their time (by adding words to the European dictionaries, and/or by translating grammar notes into their language), there are thousands more images and sound files available. At the current time, there are more than 5,500 images, 5,000 Thai sound files, and 5,000 Isaan Lao sound files.
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