Franklin TG-218 11 Language European Translator

by Franklin Electronics

Product Details

Product Manual [160kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 3.2 x 0.5 inches ; 3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00005LCU1
• Item model number: TG-218
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 12, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Franklin's 11-language translator is the perfect, easy-to-use tool for anyone traveling to Europe. You can instantly look up 400,000 translations from and to English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Czech, and Hungarian. The phonetic spell checker ensures the right word will be found even if you misspell it. There are also 11,000 conversational phrases available, categorized into topics like Doing Business, Travel and Directions, and Eating and Drinking.

The translator also has two classic games--Hangman and Quiz--a clock with alarm, a calculator with metric and currency conversions, and a Rolodex Electronics databank for names and phone numbers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for everyday travelling but not serious study, December 19, 2001

By 

Thomas A. Kilroy (Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Franklin TG-218 11 Language European Translator (Office Product)

As an American living in Europe, I have found this translator very useful. The comparatively large number of languages included ensures that I can communicate, on a basic level, in almost every country I visit. There are quite a few phrases included, and they are catagorized by situation (Emergencies, Dining, etc). However, I generally use the translator as a "point and talk" aid. It also helps when talking to people who speak a little English, but can't think of that "one word" they are trying to explain. The words in the databank are fairly extensive, but are, by no means, complete dictionaries.

Now, there are several drawbacks. This will not be helpful for those seriously studying a language. There are no genders, conjugation, or other grammatical aids. Also, the interface is somewhat difficult to use. To translate a word requires anywhere from 6 to 9 button pushes before you can enter the word. There is also no back light. The translator includes a databank, clock, currency converter, and some other features which I honestly have never used.

The bottom line is: If you want to be able to say "I want to eat dinner and stay in a nice hotel" in 11 languages, it is for you. If you want to compose an poem, or write a thesis on quantum physics in 11 languages...look elswhere.