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| TIP! This page focuses on finding a good general German dictionary. If you're looking for German vocabulary covering a specialised subject area, then you may well need a bilingual glossary which will cover the subject area in more depth. Check out these subject-related online glossary sources. |
So which ones will help you most?
Hard Copy Dictionaries
If you are studying German or working in translation, then your starting point is definitely a proper hard copy, general German dictionary. (See my recommended top 10 here.) I love both my Oxford Duden and my Collins dictionary. These should be your basic reference aid and your minimum investment. I’d also recommend a concise version for carrying to class or lectures. (Don’t forget – if you work as a translator then this is a tax-deductible business expense.)| TIP! Keep your main dictionary close to hand. These tomes are heavy – my Oxford Duden weighs over 2˝ kg! - and the temptation not to pick it up when you want to check a reference is enormous, especially when you are concentrating hard and your fingers are hovering over the keyboard! Online resources are great, but an authorised, hard copy dictionary should always be your final point of reference. |
Online German Dictionary Resources
As with so many things, the internet has totally transformed the translation business. If you only need to translate a few words then the internet provides unlimited online dictionary resources.If you are looking for a good free online dictionary then this list of links will bring you my recommended selection, as well as my cream of the crop, all time favourite, LEO! You'll also want to refer to more specialised glossaries as soon as the subject matter of your German translations becomes more specialised.
| UPDATE! I'm delighted to have just discovered a great new German online dictionary. Currently in Beta, and called Linguee, it trawls through all bilingual German-English texts on the web to search for translations. A great additional source - try it. |
Dictionary Software & Electronic Dictionaries
You’ll find frequent references online to dictionary software. Many dictionary publishers now offer their dictionaries in software form - either purchase on CD and install on your PC, or subscribe and download directly, even to a hand-held device such as an iPod.And if you're constantly on the go, then you might find that an electronic dictionary meets your needs. Packed with dictionary and language-learning software,these little gems let you translate German wherever you are.
English Writing Skills!
Don’t forget - if you are a translator, then you are also a writer!This is a central tenet of translation. Translating a text from German into English involves far more than simply translating a string of words. Ideally, it shouldn't be possible to tell that your English text is a at all. Therefore translators need to be very aware of the differences in German and English grammar and style. German sentences follow a different pattern of sentence structure to their English counterparts.
Sentences are often much, much longer. You probably also aware are, that in a German sentence, the verb at the very end of the sentence comes. Complicated ideas which can be expressed very concisely in German often require much greater explanation in English – and vice versa.
As a result, translating a German text requires that you thoroughly understand the German and its nuances before deciding how the same ideas can be best expressed in English.
Where your German sentence includes two words which we would translate into English using a single term, you’ll need to rewrite the sentence to avoid repeating yourself, or look for a good alternative using your thesaurus. I’ve also put together a few other recommended resources for good writing.
A Latin Dictionary?!
And don’t forget to brush up your Latin. (Latin?!) You’d be amazed at how many German texts include short Latin phrases – but have no fear, this Latin English translation dictionary and tips on Latin translation will help!Here at German Translation tips and resources we like to stay up to date with the latest developments in translation technology - and here we go again! Take photos with your mobile phone and get the text you have just photographed immediately translated using the PhotoWord English German dictionary 1.1.12 . What more could you want!
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