Phonetic transcription is more important than audio in computer dictionaries.

The computer version of Collins COBUILD English Dictionary for Advanced Learners does not have phonetic transcription. Concerning this matter, I corresponded with a person who was working on the computer version of this dictionary.

The person wrote:
In my opinion, the only reason why there is a phonetic transcription of a word in a printed dictionary is that the dictionary cannot speak. The CD can actually produce the sound, and so the transcription is redundant.

In the following words I tried to persuade that person to include phonetic transcription in the next release of this dictionary:

Personally, I find transcription more useful than audio. I am proficient in the use and interpretation of phonetic transcription. I can imagine how the word should be pronounced. I can extract all the needed information from phonetic transcription.

Every person has a different way of pronouncing vowels. When you give transcription you cover all possible variations. When you give the voice of one native speaker, you give only one way of pronouncing a word. My pronunciation is different from that of the native speaker who recorded the words. In order to incorporate the pronunciation of a word into my system I need to hear the native speaker and extract the phonetic symbols from what I hear. Then I can pronounce the word my way, once I have the phonetic symbols. I translate from what I hear into phonetic symbols and then into my own pronunciation. This is much simpler when I can see the phonetic transcription directly.

Phonetic transcription is by no means redundant. It is essential. I can live without the audio, I can't live without transcription. I will have to use other dictionaries besides this one to see transcription.

The phonetic transcription in COLLINS COBUILD ENGLISH DICTIONARY in the book form is excellent. The best I've seen. It gives many possible variations. It also gives hints about American pronunciation. It contains much more information than audio.

I am a teacher of English. From my experience I can say that those who don't understand phonetic transcription will also fail to benefit from what they hear. One tends to hear the sounds of one's native language even when one is listening to a foreign one. After hearing a word pronounced by a native speaker, students will try to render the word in their own pronunciation system. It takes an intimate knowledge of the phonetic symbols to be able to hear foreign sounds for what they are.

Please reconsider the matter and include phonetic transcription in the next release.

next: Be a competent learner