Author(s)

Fangyu Wan, Changqing Liu

Corresponding Author

Changqing Liu

ABSTRACT

The digital era has brought new challenges and opportunities to the field of lexicography, and various kinds of electronic dictionaries emerge as the times require. Compared with computers, smart phones have the advantages of smaller size and easier portability. At present, mobile electronic dictionary applications (abbreviated as apps) enjoy a broader prospect of the development. Quite a few facts have proved that in today’s mobile learning era, mobile electronic dictionary applications are widely favored by online dictionary users, especially the young users. The improved and upgraded dictionary app has added instantaneous voice translation, photo translation, vocabulary notebook and other functions, which thereby has developed into an indispensable learning tool for language learners. However, in the face of different mobile dictionary apps, many users lack the ability to identify their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, although they often spend a lot of time and energy in using these apps, they often fail to maximize their functions. In view of this, this paper will make a comparative study of three popular mobile electronic dictionary apps in China, that is, Youdao dictionary, Kingsoft Powerword and Eudic. Based on a brief introduction of these three apps, the author will analyze their interface layout and functional features, so as to reduce the blindness of users in choosing these apps and help them make the best use of the three mobile electronic dictionary apps. Finally, the author will attempt to put forward some exploratory suggestions for the future development of mobile dictionary apps.

KEYWORDS

Mobile electronic dictionary application, Youdao dictionary, Kingsoft Powerword, Eudic