[geeks] Phrasebooks

[Shannon Hendrix]

On Dec 30, 2007, at 4:37 AM, Geoffrey S. Mendelson wrote:

> Several friends of mine are trying to improve their Hebrew by using
> phrasebooks. They often lend or show me them. What I find missing in
> them, and I assume in those of every language, are phrases that the
> modern tourist needs to know.

Have you looked at those little travel translators?  The last one I  
looked at seemed more focused on that sort of thing.

Still, an interesting idea since probably no one resource has all you  
need.

It's too bad there are not more open projects like this, about  
creating data rather than code.

Maybe that's a new business for you: create a travel-wiki for this and  
sell ads.

> "Were can I check my email for free?"
> "Do you have free WiFi here"?
> "Do you sell an adapter for my power plug?"
> "Do you have a replacement power cord/supply for my iPod/laptop/cell  
> phone?"
> "Can you unlock my cell phone?"
> "Do you sell cheap pay as you go SIM's?"
> "Do you have VoIP phone I can use to call home?"

Where is the nearest <XXX> embassy?

Where is the bathroom/restroom/cleanest ditch?

Where is the nearest computer store?

Where is the nearest gas station?

There are tons of common questions.  It would be a lot of effort to  
compile a list, since some languages don't work like English.  In  
English it is relatively easy to use canned phrases and just add noun  
phrases to compile a list of questions.

Not sure about some other languages like hebrew, arabic, various asian  
languages, etc.

> Also not to offend anyone, but from what I have seen on TV and been
> reading, a whole section on the purchase and use of condoms.

That's funny.

-- 
"Where some they sell their dreams for small desires."