The Advantages of Pleco and Google Translate Applications in Assisting Mandarin Language Learning

Abstract

As technology develops, dictionaries have changed from paper to electronic. Electronic dictionaries can be an alternative medium for language learning because they combine sound, visuals and text that make learning foreign languages easier. One example of using an electronic dictionary is in reading subjects. Users can learn about how to pronounce a vocabulary and sound tones correctly by utilizing the audio feature in an electronic dictionary. Vocabulary recall through mobile device applications is far more effective than through other media. The electronic dictionary application that is widely used by Chinese Literature students in learning Mandarin is the Pleco and Google Translate application. Therefore, the authors are interested in making comparisons of the similarities and differences between the two applications for the recommendation of Mandarin learning aids. This study uses a comparison method by comparing the functions of the two e-dictionaries. From the results of the comparison, both applications have keyboard features, handwriting features, voice record features and scanning features for translating words. The difference is in the radical features, stroke, number words and sentences sample

Comparison of Translation Techniques by Google Translate and U-Dictionary: How Differently Does Both Machine Translation Tools Perform in Translating?

“…The neural approaches for machine translation or hybrid (Swasthi & Jayashree, 2020) should be taken into account if users need both machines to consider the contextual information case. A good translation should be oriented on the target language, not on the source language (Ying et al, 2021). Thus, the current models of Google Translate and Udictionary still have room for improvement since their concepts are primarily word-for-word translation (Harper, 2018).…”

“…Google Translate website was launched as a translation service from one into another language (Bin Dahmash, 2020). It is an application developed by Google Incorporation in April 2006 (Ying et al, 2021). This application can be used with or without internet connection.…”

“…Google Translate's facilities are related to the three other skills other than writing, namely listening, speaking, and reading (Bin Dahmash, 2020), so the machine can be a teaching medium that can improve language learners' listening, speaking, and reading. Ying et al (2021) stated that Google Rranslate can be used without having to connect to the internet by first downloading the desired translation language. The study showed how Google Translate play a role in translation classes by having students download it in their smartphones and use the tool as an alternative dictionary than print dictionary.…”

E-Learning Web Application for Teaching English for Specific Purposes - “English at a Click”

“…Google Translate offers text input, voice mode, and mobile scanning. Using this application is very simple, after entering a word or sentence, the user only needs to select the language, word or sentence to be translated (Ying, Theresia, and Febriana 2021). Data obtained from a survey among students, in a study (Habeeb 2020), show that survey participants were satisfied with the simple use of the application.…”