Dragon NS 10 - French version for multi-lingual use Thread poster: Caroline Lakey
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Hi,
I'm considering buying version 10 of DNS becuase I'm already starting to get pains in my mouse-hand, and I'm only just starting out as a translator (quite scary really!). I've never used voice-recognition software, but based on what I've been able to discover on this site and further afield on the internet about DNS 10, it sounds great. (I've looked into Vista's voice recognition, but Microsoft say it only works in the language of the OS.)
However, I have a few ... See more Hi,
I'm considering buying version 10 of DNS becuase I'm already starting to get pains in my mouse-hand, and I'm only just starting out as a translator (quite scary really!). I've never used voice-recognition software, but based on what I've been able to discover on this site and further afield on the internet about DNS 10, it sounds great. (I've looked into Vista's voice recognition, but Microsoft say it only works in the language of the OS.)
However, I have a few questions, and as various people have noted on the forums, Nuance's customer service seems to be, shall we say, not the best (their phone number goes straight to a saturated message box, for example!). I'm hoping that people may be able to tell me about their experiences on the following:
Dictating into English in the French version - does it produce high-quality UK English, or would I need the Englsih version for that?
Dictating in both English and French in the same document?
What happens to the commands when you're dictating in English, are they still in French or do they convert to English too?
I live in France but I'm not a French native speaker - try as I might, I do have a bit of an English accent. How can I be sure DNS will understand my French?
Put in simple, non-computer expert terms, what are the advantages of the preferred version over the standard? Is it worth the extra 100€?
I'm really sorry for all these long questions, but I kow that there's a wealth of knowledge on Proz, so if anyone can help with any part, I'd be really grateful!
Very many thanks,
Caroline ▲ Collapse
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I've been wondering about all the same things - so I will watch this thread for answers.
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Sheila Wilson 
Spain
Local time: 11:27
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| I'd like to know the answer, too! | Aug 25, 2008 |
I'm in exactly the same boat as you. As translators, we are bound to do many (if not all) things in at least two languages. A spell-checker that only checks one language is only half useful, DNS that only understands one language (and one accent) is really not worth more than 50 percent of its cost.
Let's hope this thread is being read by someone with some answers, rather than with the same question.
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| Different profiles | Aug 26, 2008 |
Multilingual version of Dragon include english voice recognition as an option. You just need to create a new profile and set its language to English.
In practical terms, when you want to switch from French to English, you will just need to right-click the Dragon icon next to the clock and select (let's say) "Sheila français" instead of "Sheila English".
However, it will be seen by the system as a completely separate user and will not share data and terminology with the... See more Multilingual version of Dragon include english voice recognition as an option. You just need to create a new profile and set its language to English.
In practical terms, when you want to switch from French to English, you will just need to right-click the Dragon icon next to the clock and select (let's say) "Sheila français" instead of "Sheila English".
However, it will be seen by the system as a completely separate user and will not share data and terminology with the other. Actually, it will even have to be trained from scratch as if it was different person [and I guess most will agree that, in some way, it is ]
It will also take a bit of time, as it saves the previous profile data before opening the new one. I wouldn't really recommend to switch back and fro.
To sum up:
>does it produce high-quality UK English
I would say so. It come with British/US/Australian/SEAAsian tailored dictionary files, and I guess these languages are really their core business...
>Dictating in both English and French in the same document?
Possible if you switch profile, but not practical due to save/load time.
>What happens to the commands when you're dictating in English
I guess English profile=English commands, Franch profile=Franch commands. Personally, the only command I use are "Full caps" and "Intial capital" anyway.
>I live in France but I'm not a French native speaker
Some say I have a rather thick genoese accent (similar to Canadian, but with an Italian twist), Yes, sometimes it drops some words, but it's just when I'm really mumbling without refrain. And sometimes it surprises me writing down even that!
>Put in simple, non-computer expert terms, what are the advantages of the preferred version over the standard? Is it worth the extra 100€?
"NatSpeak is available in a number of versions. The Standard edition ($100) has the same accuracy as the others, but it’s just for bare-bones dictation.
To get the more advanced goodies described in this review — the natural-language commands, Bluetooth mikes and recorders — you need the Preferred edition ($200). It also lets you set up voice macros that type out boilerplate text. For example, you can say, “Buzz off,” and it will type: “Thanks for thinking of me! Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’m unable to accept your kind offer at this time.”
From http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/technology/personaltech/07pogue.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1
My 2cents? I have the Preferred version, but I never use said goodies. Maybe you can give a thorough look to the specs page at Nuance and see if you really need any of them.
Good work, Alain
[Edited at 2008-08-26 05:23] ▲ Collapse
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| Different profiles | Aug 26, 2008 |
Multilingual version of Dragon include english voice recognition as an option. You just need to create a new profile and set its language to English.
In practical terms, when you want to switch from French to English, you will just need to right-click the Dragon icon next to the clock and select (let's say) "Sheila français" instead of "Sheila English".
However, it will be seen by the system as a completely separate user and will not share data and terminology with the... See more Multilingual version of Dragon include english voice recognition as an option. You just need to create a new profile and set its language to English.
In practical terms, when you want to switch from French to English, you will just need to right-click the Dragon icon next to the clock and select (let's say) "Sheila français" instead of "Sheila English".
However, it will be seen by the system as a completely separate user and will not share data and terminology with the other. Actually, it will even have to be trained from scratch as if it was different person [and I guess most will agree that, in some way, it is ]
It will also take a bit of time, as it saves the previous profile data before opening the new one. I wouldn't really recommend to switch back and fro.
To sum up:
>does it produce high-quality UK English
I would say so. It come with British/US/Australian/SEAAsian tailored dictionary files, and I guess these languages are really their core business...
>Dictating in both English and French in the same document?
Possible if you switch profile, but not practical due to save/load time.
>What happens to the commands when you're dictating in English
I guess English profile=English commands, Franch profile=Franch commands. Personally, the only command is use are "Full caps" and "Intial capital" anyway.
>I live in France but I'm not a French native speaker
Some say I have a rather thick genoese accent (similar to Canadian, but with an Italian twist), Yes, sometimes it drops some words, but it's just when I'm really mumbling withot refrain. And sometimes it surprises me writing down even that!
>Put in simple, non-computer expert terms, what are the advantages of the preferred version over the standard? Is it worth the extra 100€?
"NatSpeak is available in a number of versions. The Standard edition ($100) has the same accuracy as the others, but it’s just for bare-bones dictation.
To get the more advanced goodies described in this review — the natural-language commands, Bluetooth mikes and recorders — you need the Preferred edition ($200). It also lets you set up voice macros that type out boilerplate text. For example, you can say, “Buzz off,” and it will type: “Thanks for thinking of me! Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’m unable to accept your kind offer at this time.”
From http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/technology/personaltech/07pogue.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1
My 2cents? I have the Preferred version, but I never use said goodies. Maybe you can give a thorough look to the specs page at Nuance and see if you really need any of them.
Good work, Alain ▲ Collapse
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Caroline Lakey
France
Local time: 12:27
French to English
TOPIC STARTER | Is it practical to use? | Aug 26, 2008 |
Thank Alain, for your explanation of the different profiles which need to be set up to use DNS in different languages.
Is there anyone who uses DNS with differnet profiles on a regular basis, who could tell us whether it's easy and practical to do so?
I think I'll go for the preferred edition, because I'd like to be able to dictate notes into a recorder and let DNS put them into the pc.
Thanks again,
Caroline
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Caroline Lakey
France
Local time: 12:27
French to English
TOPIC STARTER | France : Special prices on DNS 10 - can I say where? | Aug 27, 2008 |
I've just noticed that 2 well-known web vendors are selling the French preferred edition of DNS 10 for €159.99, and I'm sure some people will be interested.
Please could someone tell me whether the rules of the forum allow me to say which vendors are running these promotions?
Thanks
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