Tamil e-dictionary app has 50,000 words

A new Tamil e-dictionary app that includes some 50,000 words could also be used by students for their examinations in the future.

Inspired by the handy dictionary devices used in Malay and Chinese exams, the new “The Agaram” Tamil e-dictionary app was conceptualised and tailored to the needs of Tamil-speaking students in Singapore.

Unveiled on April 21 at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre, the app marks a significant stride in bridging the gap between traditional learning and digital innovation, ensuring Tamil’s accessibility and relevance to modern learners, said Mr Shahul Hameed, business development manager of Cosmic Consultancy, the company that launched the app.

With support from the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism, a team led by local poet S. Thinnappan helped developed the app in a collaborative effort which included contributions from various academics.

The team ensured the app’s effectiveness in nurturing linguistic proficiency among students, said Mr Hameed, adding that “the Agaram e-Dictionary is more than just a linguistic tool, it’s a gateway to empowerment”.

Discussions are underway with the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board to integrate the app into formal education systems, Mr Hameed noted.

The app comprises some 50,000 Tamil words used in the Singaporean context, with its English translations, accurate audio pronunciation guides and grammatical contexts. Along with visual aids, the app also shows examples of how to use a word in a sentence.

Mr Anbarasu Rajendran, CEO of the Singapore Indian Development Association, who was the guest of honour at the unveiling event, said he appreciated the efforts of the team and highlighted the importance of Tamil language learning and the app’s potential to enrich students’ language skills.

Aishwarya, a student at Crescent Girls School, said: “While writing an essay, we tend to think of words in English. Tamil is an extensive language with 247 letters, it is difficult to find a synonym of a word in a big dictionary. By typing the English word in this app, the synonym appears quickly.”

Rather than worrying about words, students can now focus on developing creativity and imagination, she added.

Mr Hameed revealed plans to enhance the app’s functionality by incorporating features such as the thesaurus and lexicons.

Accessible via www.minagaram.com, the Agaram e-dictionary app is also available on the Apple app store. It will be available for Android users on Google Play Store in the future.