We released Clavis Sinica 4.0 in December and have now begun to assemble a list of new features to add in the next version. Many recent improvements to the program have been the result of user suggestions, so let us hear your thoughts!

--David

I'm new to Clavis Sinica and I'm trying it now. Something I find a bit annoying is the fact that I'm unable to copy and paste information from windows. For example, if I find informations for 见, I would realy like to be able to copy and paste it in a Word doc for my notes. What's the use of having a computer and a software if I have to write everything by hand? (or if I have to use another software to do the job?)

michel

Thanks for the comment. You actually can keep track of information you're finding in program windows by using F5 or F6 (the Learn Character and Learn Compound) functions to add words of interest to a custom vocabulary list. You can then save this list and use it later for a flashcards session or to generate a printable vocabulary review sheet (including pinyin and English definitions) using the Vocabulary List Converter tool on the Chinese Toolbox page.

I hope this helps!

--David

Hi David,
I agree, but let's say I use Look up Character with zhong1. I'll get the Character Information window where there's already a lot of infos (that I can't copy), and then, if I click on the Comps using this char, I'll get the Compound Information where, again, I won't be able to copy and paste the infos. So I get lots of useful infos but I have to write everything 'by hand' (and switch from Chinese keyboard to english keyboard...) I'm just not used to that.

michel

Hello,

I've just started using the software so maybe i'm not far enough into the program to with the flash cards and characters etc but so far I have only seen single character words etc. I wondered if you already had a feature as part of the program that when a word is looked up it would list the key character being requested but also a few sample strings especially where the definitions are different from just singular characters. I know the feature already exists in your text reader program which picks up combinations of characters and gives definitions but it would be nice if combinations of characters also appeared in flash cards. If it already has this feature but i haven't found it yet then i'll get looking into it. if it doesn't it would be a nice addition

Thanks!

Yes, you can use the Clavis flashcards with compound words. Here's what you need to do:

1) Open the text you're working on in the Text Reader Window
2) Click on a character that's part of a compound you want to study.
3) Use F6 (Learn Compound) to add the compound to your custom vocabulary list
4) Repeat steps 2-3 for all the compounds in the text you want to add to your list
5) Choose File - Save Vocab List As to save your custom Vocabulary List to a file
6) Open the Flashcards, choose Custom List, and select the file you've just created

You can create any number of custom vocabulary lists in this fashion. Lists can contain any combination of single characters and multi-character compounds.

You can edit & merge lists in Clavis or using Word or a Chinese language word processor. You can also convert lists to printable review sheets (showing pinyin and definitions) using the Vocabulary List Converter tool on our Resources page.

I hope this helps!

--David

I've sent a request to our programmer to add this feature. Should be ready within a few weeks. Please keep those suggestions coming!

--David

Expanding on the functionality mikl_k asked about, is there a way to look up a character or compound in the dictionary, then add it to a custom flashcard list?

Yes, the F5 & F6 buttons (Learn Character & Learn Compound) should work in the dictionary windows, allowing you to add words you've looked up directly to your custom vocabulary list.

--David

Long definitions listed in the flashcard window get cut off due to space constraints. Dragging the window to the right to enlarge it only expands the center column (selected pinyin). Could this be changed so that the right hand column expands instead?

Yes, this should be an easy fix. Thanks for pointing it out.

--David

This may also be identical to mikl_k above, but...:example:
If you look up the compound 'xianjin,' at least the 3 first ones are every-day words, which I'd like to copy into a must-learn-list, which I later can memorize, or train on writing the charcaters.
So with copy-functionality working in the look-up windows, the program will be just perfect. For instance, in a long list of words or comps, I'd like to mark those I need to learn, then copy the marked items.
Best regards
Audun

Have you ever heard of the free Dimsun tool on mandarintools.com?
That is a Java-based application as well. It uses CEDICT, a free dictionary (the problem with that dictionary is that it conatins many errors and should therefore not be used in a commercial application for serious students and teachers of Chinese).
Among other things, Dimsun can two things that I consider highly importannt for teaching purposes:
1. Add Pinyin transcription to each Chinese character, whether traditionalo pr simplified.
2. Listing English word annotations at the end of a text with Pinyin for each Chinese character/word by simply pressing a button.

This helps you prepare your teacher handouts for class in no time.
So, here are my wishes for future versions of Clavis Sinica:
1. Add this feature: Pinyin transcription to each Chinese character, whether traditionalo pr simplified.
2. Add this feature: Listing English word annotations at the end of a text with Pinyin for each Chinese character/word by simply pressing a button.
3. Add feature that allows opening and saving Chinese text files in the *.txt, *.rtf file format.
4. Add feature for opening and saving files in utf-8 *.txt file format.
5. Add better printing functions to Clavis Sinica - it would make the separtate use of the Chinese Toolbox application unnecessary and, in fact,
should be included in the main application.

Keep up the good work!

This would make Clavis Sinica really superior!