Mobile Dictionary (MobiDic)

Country

South Africa

Region

Africa

Programme Summary

Mobile Dictionary (MobiDic) is a project developed to enable South African dictionary users to access dictionary content via their cellular phones, thereby promoting literacy and language skills. Macmillan South Africa (Pty) Ltd. provided the content in the form of the Chambers-Macmillan South African Student's Dictionary, geared to a South African user, which has been edited by Biza Telecoms to suit the SMS format. Revenue from the service will be channelled towards South African charities.

Communication Strategies

The project works by 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). 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 value of the service is that it offers a convenient solution that can be accessed from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides real-time access to information,” said Seati Moloi, inventor of the Mobile Dictionary concept.

The dictionary was written for the South African market, and contains a representative element of South African English words (e.g. indaba, jol, ubuntu, line fish), thus making the language appropriate for users. The project organisers believe that the educational value of the project will contribute to the advancement of a culture of learning in the South African society, as well as bridge the technological gap that exists in the country and the rest of the continent.

The Mobile Dictionary is a premium-rated service and the price per SMS has been set at R2.00. In future Biza Telecoms hopes to negotiate a reduction in the price of the service. The reasons for the price structure include the following considerations:

The price of the SMS has to be relatively low to ensure that users are not unfairly exploited and are encouraged to make repeated use of the service.
The same number should be used for as long as possible to entrench its market penetration.

In future this service will be expanded to include the provision of translation in South African languages.

Click here to find out more about how to use MobiDic.

Development Issues

Education.

Key Points

The objective of MobiDic is to assist users in improving language skills and enhancing reading and writing abilities. The partners have adopted three charity organisations who 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.