The distribution of frequency counts of distinct words by length in a language’s vocabulary will be analyzed using two methods. The first, will look at the empirical distributions of several languages and derive a distribution that reasonably explains the number of distinct words as a function of length. We will be able to derive the frequency count, mean word length, and variance of word lengt...

this study has examined the effect of semantic mapping on learning vocabulary across genders. the researchers selected 120 intermediate students after the administration of a standard proficiency test. a vocabulary test was also used to measure the students’ vocabulary knowledge. the experimental group received semantic mapping in the pre-reading stage, butthe control group did not receive this...

Recent empirical findings in the field of Multilingualism have shown that the mental lexicon of a language learner does not consist of separate entities, but rather of an intertwined system where languages can interact with each other (e.g. Cenoz, 2013; Szubko-Sitarek, 2015). Accordingly, multilingual language learners have been considered differently to second language learners in a growing nu...

The importance of vocabulary in reading comprehension emphasizes the need to accurately assess an individual’s familiarity with words. The present article highlights problems with using occurrence counts in corpora as an index of word familiarity, especially when studying individuals varying in reading experience. We demonstrate via computational simulations and norming studies that corpus-base...

This paper discusses a computational approach to readability that is expected to lead eventually towards a new and configurable metric for text readability. Our research involves the elaboration, implementation and evaluation of an 8-part framework that requires consideration of both textual and cognitive factors such as language, vocabulary, background knowledge, motivation and cognitive load....

In this study we present a self-organizing connectionist model of early lexical development. We call this model DevLex-II, based on the earlier DevLex model. DevLex-II can simulate a variety of empirical patterns in children's acquisition of words. These include a clear vocabulary spurt, effects of word frequency and length on age of acquisition, and individual differences as a function of phon...

Adult performance on a variety of tasks suggests that phonological processing of nonwords is grounded in generalizations about sublexical patterns over all known words. To test this account of phonological processing, production accuracy and fluency were examined in nonword repetitions by children and adults. Stimuli were 22 pairs of nonwords, in which one contained a low-frequency or unatteste...

This paper reviews the various multiple-choice formats used in testing foreign language vocabulary with special reference to the underlying constructs of vocabulary competence. While all formats are argued to categorically measure recognition of second language word meaning, they are claimed to differ with respect to whether they measure receptive recognition or productive recognition, followin...