SABC Education launches mobile dictionary

The business partners have developed a concept that enables users to access dictionary content via their cellular phones. Macmillan South Africa (Pty) Ltd. provided the content in the form of the Chambers-Macmillan South African Student's Dictionary, which has been edited by Biza Telecoms to suit the SMS format. The dictionary was written for the South African market, and will contain a representative element of South African English words (e.g. indaba, jol, ubuntu, line fish), thus making the language appropriate for users.

The objective of MobiDic is to assist users in improving language skills and enhancing reading and writing abilities. By simply sending a word for which the user needs an explanation to a premium-rated short code number, 34744, they will instantly receive a definition in return via short message service (SMS).

"The value of the service is that it offers a convenient solution that can be accessed from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides real-time access to information," remarked Seati Moloi, inventor of the Mobile Dictionary concept.

Most definitions will be contained in one SMS. On occasion, a definition will be longer than one SMS and in those cases two return SMS messages will be sent without any additional costs to the user.

The Mobile Dictionary will be a premium-rated service and the price per SMS has been set at R2. For the future, Biza Telecoms hopes to negotiate a reduction in the price of the service. It is planned that this service will be expanded to include the provision of translation in South African languages.

The partners have also adopted three charity organisations which will receive revenue per usage; they are the National Association of People Living with HIV/Aids (NAPWA), the Takalani Home for the Mentally Disabled and the Lamplight Foundation for the Blind.