ERIC Number: EJ1402169
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1513-5934
EISSN: EISSN-2651-1479
Profiling Word Frequency and Readability of Online Learner Dictionary Definitions
Dilenschneider, Robert; Horness, Paul
rEFLections, v30 n2 p247-267 2023
This study examined 283 online learner dictionary definitions in terms of scores based on word frequency level and readability. Results revealed three findings. First, in terms of word frequency levels, definitions from the Cambridge learner dictionary incorporated fewer non-high frequency words (mid and low frequency words) compared to Oxford, Dictionary. com and Collins COBUILD learner dictionaries. Second, in terms of readability, definitions from the Random House learner dictionary were written at a significantly higher grade level compared to the other six online learner dictionaries. Third, in terms of both level of frequency words incorporated into definitions and readability grade level definitions, the Cambridge, Merriam-Webster and Longman online learner dictionaries were easier to understand compared to online learner dictionaries from Dictionary.com, Collins COBUILD, Oxford and Random House. Overall, the findings suggest both word frequency level and readability might contribute to the difficulty of online learner dictionary definitions.
Descriptors: Word Frequency, Computational Linguistics, Dictionaries, Definitions, Readability, Electronic Publishing, Comparative Analysis, Profiles, Scores, English, North American English, Language Variation, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A