While most people I know think I'm fluent in Japanese, the truth is that I still need a dictionary to help me read academic papers. This being the age of technology, I bought an electronic dictionary the first year I was in Japan, so I wouldn't have to carry around two huge paper versions. This lovely gadget was a Japanese-English dictionary, a kanji character dictionary, a Japanese-Japanese dictionary and much more. I have been using it and greatly appreciating it for four years.
Unfortunately, it died this week. Like my beautiful digital camera, it finally gave out. This has significantly slowed my ability to get through texts for my thesis. When I told my advisor that I do not have an 800 page Japanese-English dictionary on my shelf at home as a substitute, she almost had a heart attack. "You should have an arsenal of dictionaries on hand!" She does not realize that most electronic dictionaries are a powerhouse of translation aids. However, it doesn't matter how great one is if it doesn't work.
I've been debating whether or not I should buy a new electronic dictionary or continue working with the alternatives - hours in the library with a dictionary, or hours in front of an online dictionary on my computer. Either way, I am constrained to a certain spot to do my work, something I do not like at all.
I miss my handy little pocket denshi jisho.
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