Pocket Translator. I'm traveling to Japan.

[Ravenhul_78]

I'm planning a trip to Japan. English is what I know. I'm studying Japanese, however, I'm curious about which pocket translator would be the best for Tokyo Japan.

Thank you all very much.

 

[punkncat]

Not for nothing, but Google Translate (which is probably available for your mobile phone) works pretty well for almost anything. The issue there would be having people wanting to speak into your phone, and read your replies.

 

[Ravenhul_78]

I do not want to use google translate on my phone. I haven't had a good experience doing so. However, I thank you for the suggestion.

 

[hotaru.hino]

There's no pocket translator sort of thing. That is, you're likely not going to get something where you can type out sentence or something and get a coherent result. At best, if you don't want to use a phone, there are electronic pocket dictionaries. However, these are more popular in Japan than outside of it, so they may expect you to know the kanji and how to read it, which isn't very useful for someone who doesn't know kanji.

In any case, if you want a starting point: https://my-best.net/10712

 

[Ravenhul_78]

There's no pocket translator sort of thing. That is, you're likely not going to get something where you can type out sentence or something and get a coherent result. At best, if you don't want to use a phone, there are electronic pocket dictionaries. However, these are more popular in Japan than outside of it, so they may expect you to know the kanji and how to read it, which isn't very useful for someone who doesn't know kanji.

In any case, if you want a starting point: https://my-best.net/10712

I’m not sure if I agree with that. You’re saying the only option is either google translator or a dictionary that is primarily used for people in Japan?

There’s no device that does solely translation?
Google can do navigation but it doesn’t mean only use google maps or a paper map.

 

[USAFRet]

Google can do navigation but it doesn’t mean only use google maps or a paper map.

google maps, just like translate, relies on the google mothership back end.
Accessed via your phone.

 

[hotaru.hino]

I’m not sure if I agree with that. You’re saying the only option is either google translator or a dictionary that is primarily used for people in Japan?

There’s no device that does solely translation?

The demand for Japanese/English electronic dictionaries is pretty small in the US, especially when people have smartphones with access to a web service or application that has this functionality have really negated the needed for specialty electronics. The only reason why they might be popular in Japan still is Japan is really weird with technology adoption (for instance, the fax machine is alive and well over there)

As far as translating goes, the problem with translating, especially between English and Japanese, is it's not as straightforward as you think. Even Google Translate isn't all that great. It's nice in a pinch, but it's not going to translate say swathes of manga in a coherent manner. So you're not going to find some electronic device whose only job it is is to translate between English and Japanese.

And besides, if your goal is to learn Japanese, you're not going to learn much from a translator anyway. A translator isn't going to tell some of the more nuanced aspects of Japanese like which particle to use, counters, or something like keigo if you have to learn that.

Google can do navigation but it doesn’t mean only use google maps or a paper map.

The only other option I see in this use case is using something from Garmin or similar, but considering those are likely to go to the wayside thanks to smartphones, you're also looking at whatever map service your phone comes with (or installed) or paper maps.

 

[Ralston18]

This:

"I'm planning a trip to Japan. English is what I know. I'm studying Japanese".

Who are you visiting in Japan? Ask someone there what they would suggest as a helpful and appropriate translator.

Be sure that they understand that the intent is to just help keep the translations at least meaningful and communitive.

Enough to at least work out the nuances and details.

And avoid potentially embarrasing "oh-oh's". [Insert embarrasement icon here.]

Hopefully everyone on both ends will understand that translations can go astray and not immediately take offense. And even laugh it off.

That is more important than some gadget garbling words and phrases.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

PS. A ship I was on many, many years ago went to Japan. My first encounter with another culture and language.

Most of us "blew it" at one time or another. Otherwise it was all fascinating and when communications worked out = "awesome" in today's terminology.

Or in other words (maybe) =

素晴らしい
Subarashī

Have fun.

 

[ODuffer]

There's no pocket translator sort of thing. That is, you're likely not going to get something where you can type out sentence or something and get a coherent result. At best, if you don't want to use a phone, there are electronic pocket dictionaries. However, these are more popular in Japan than outside of it, so they may expect you to know the kanji and how to read it, which isn't very useful for someone who doesn't know kanji.

In any case, if you want a starting point: https://my-best.net/10712

"

There's no pocket translator sort of thing.

Actually there is a sort of thing...

 

[hotaru.hino]

"

Actually there is a sort of thing...

That requires a smartphone, which OP doesn't want to use.

By popping the M3 Bluetooth earbuds in your ears and opening the Timekettle app (which is available for Android and iOS) you can ask someone to speak into your phone and the translation will be relayed through the earbuds in real time.

And if you have a smartphone, well uh, you could just use Google Translate too.

 

[bniknafs9]

you don't need that .
you can travel Russia (i did ) and most people and women too there , use there iPhones to transalte , simple as that , as long as you have internet connection you can translate .

 

[USAFRet]

you don't need that .
you can travel Russia (i did ) and most people and women too there , use there iPhones to transalte , simple as that , as long as you have internet connection you can translate .

Russia and a cellphone have exactly nothing to do with the OPs question.