Tibetan Geeks

Ven Lobsang Monlam (left) speaking about his forthcoming Tibetan electronic dictionary during a discussion with a group of Tibetan scholars and academicians in Dharamshala, on 19 August 2010. Also seen in the picture is Kalon Tripa Prof Samdong Rinpoche (right).
Photo by Choyang/Tibetonline TV

Dharamshala: Readers in today's world of information technology will soon have the first Tibetan electronic dictionary in unicode Monlam Bodyig 3 on their computers, be it Windows, Mac, ipod or ipad.

A group of Tibetan academicians and scholars on Tibetan literature have gathered at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives to give their ideas and suggestion to the upcoming comprehensive Tibetan electronic dictionary, which is being compiled by Ven Lobsang Monlam.

Ven Monlam is known for his pioneering initiative in developing the electronic Monlam Bodyig font in user-friendly Unicode format. His latest Monlam Bodyig 3 had already hit the stores.

The special features of the dictionary are that readers can get a comprehensive set of meanings and usages of a particular Tibetan word. By clicking on a Tibetan word, one can also get a wide range of meanings and usages of that word in English.

Speaking of his work on the upcoming Monlam dictionary, he said he has been undertaking careful study and consideration of Tibetan handwritings, grammar and vocabularies.

He said he took reference from the Tibetan-English Dictionary compiled by the Department of Education.

Ven Monlam said his meeting with the Tibetan scholars was aimed to incorporate into the dictionary the entire set of Tibetan terminology from the fields of Buddhism, culture, literature, dialectics, grammar etc.

Kalon Tripa Prof Samdong Rinpoche underlined that the Tibetan people will remain alive as a distinct from other nationals as long as the Tibetan language exists.

Praising Ven Monlam for his innovative works on Tibet language, Kalon Tripa said it will be of immense benefit to the preservation and promotion of Tibet's cultural heritage if he continues to make efforts in the future.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Secretary Mr Tsegyam presented a ceremonial scarf to Ven Monlam as a gesture of His Holiness' appreciation of the monk's expertise in promoting Tibetan language through innovation.

Original story published at Tibet.net

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