A school text book analysis

This paper reports on a project to digitise and analyse sample reading books recently used within British Primary schools. Through analysis of the textual content of example texts from this corpus, we aimed to illustrate statistical characteristics of these texts and consider implications for the expected rate of progression across texts intended for different school levels. Our project also includes the design and implementation of software tools for assisting with this undertaking. Our approach to textual analysis relies heavily on frequency lists for each of the school text books and their comparison with frequency lists of common usage (words per million) derived from the British National Corpus. Our software toolset eases the task of contrastive analysis as well as providing helpful graphical display of analysis data

Dynamic second language support for Web-based information systems

Non-native speakers of English are faced with the 'second language problem' when required to interact with English-based information systems. This paper describes strategies for addressing the problem, which arises through difficulties in comprehension, in the context of Web-based information systems, by means of a dynamic annotation of English language Web pages

English Assistant : a support strategy for online second language learning

This paper presents an approach to the provision of on-line assistance for learners of English as a second language. The basis for this design is the application of directed support in the form of 'dynamic annotation' to English information. Critically, we aim to provide aid where it is likely to be needed most. Our work falls into two parts. Firstly, we have a mechanism that facilitates the dynamic annotation of English content web pages. Secondly, we are investigating the application of criteria to drive the decision-making that underlies such support

Tools for second language support

The second language problem is the context in which non-native English speakers are required to interact with English-based computer systems. In other papers, we have characterized this setting and proposed methods of supporting such users. The present paper details several tools that we have developed to assist in our work with second language support. A prime consideration in such tool development is to facilitate easy management of alternative language resources. The need for criteria to direct second language support and the role of such tools in helping to evaluate such criteria is detailed here

Localisation and linguistic anomalies

Interactive systems may seek to accommodate users whose first language is not English. Usually, this entails a focus on translation and related features of localisation. While such motivation is worthy, the results are often less than ideal. In raising awareness of the shortcomings of localisation, we hope to improve the prospects for successful second-language support. To this end, the present paper describes three varieties of linguistic irregularity that we have encountered in localised systems and suggests that these anomalies are direct results of localisation. This underlines the need for better end-user guidance in managing local language resources and supports our view that complementary local resources may hold the key to second language user support

Variation in actual relationship among descendants of inbred individuals

In previous analyses, the variation in actual, or realized, relationship has been derived as a function of map length of chromosomes and type of relationship, the variation being greater the shorter the total chromosome length and the coefficient of variation being greater the more distant the relationship. Here, the results are extended to allow for the relatives' ancestor being inbred. Inbreeding of a parent reduces variation in actual relationship among its offspring, by an amount that depends on the inbreeding level and the type of mating that led to that level. For descendants of full-sibs, the variation is reduced in later generations, but for descendants of half-sibs, it is increased

Learning from Analysis of Japanese EFL Texts

Japan has a long tradition of teaching English as a foreign language (EFL). A common feature of EFL courses is reliance on specific textbooks as a basis for graded teaching, and periods in Japanese EFL history are marked by the introduction of different textbook series. These sets of textbooks share the common goal of taking students from beginners through to able English language users, so one would expect to find common characteristics across such series. As part of an on-going research programme in which Japanese EFL textbooks from different historical periods are compared and contrasted, we have recently focussed our efforts on using textual analysis tools to highlight distinctive characteristics of such textbooks. The present paper introduces one such analysis tool and describes some of the results from its application to three textbook series from distinct periods in Japanese EFL history. In so doing, we aim to encourage the use of textual analysis and seek to expose salient features of EFL texts which would likely remain hidden without such analytical techniques

A system to support dissemination of knowledge and sharing of experiences in the working environment

In the information era enterprises strive to be productive and efficient. One feature of this goal is to engage their employees in education programmes, help them gain new experiences and knowledge and adapt to an ever-changing working environment. Such programmes require thorough design in order to achieve satisfactory results. Lately, enterprises recognising the role technology can play in the education of their employees, have adopted systems that supplement the traditional educational model with mechanisms that enable the sharing of experiences and knowledge [5]. In this paper we describe an architecture and a system prototype that allows users to search easily for information, interact with colleagues and share experiences, to compose and disseminate best practices and knowledge. The design of this system is based on insights gained from the operation of the Greek Taxation System

The posit text profiling toolset

The present paper describes a software toolset developed to assist in making textual analyses and comparisons between and within corpora. This system (Posit) aims to make the textual analysis process as simple as possible by requiring only asingle command from the user. The adopted approach seeks to accommodate arbitrarily large corpora. This contrasts with many current tools that are limited in their ability to handle very large file sizes. In the following, we detail the current part-of-speech focus of this toolset and describe developments in progress that will extend its functionality to embrace vocabulary and readability profiling

Examining the importance of Aberdeenshire (UK) coastal waters for North Sea bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates)

Using land- and vessel-based surveys, data on the relative abundance, distribution and habitat use of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Aberdeenshire waters were collected between 1999 and 2001. Bottlenose dolphins were present throughout the year, with peak abundance during the months of March to May. The occurrence of calves was seasonal, With the proportion of calves highest during the spring months. Foraging behaviour was recorded mainly in the vicinity of Aberdeen harbour. Dolphins photographed in Aberdeenshire waters were successfully matched and confirmed as Moray Firth animals. The results of the present study suggest that Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins utilize Aberdeenshire waters more frequently than previously reported. Aberdeen harbour is apparently an important feeding area, and Aberdeenshire waters are regularly used by another-calf pairs. This has important management implications since this area of coastline does not currently form part of the designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for this population