Corpus-based tools: a “how to” presentation A ready-to-use guide to powerful learning methods.

First, what is a Corpus? Within Linguistics, a «Corpus» is a structured collection of texts, nowadays mostly available in digital format. The most important thing a Corpus must do is represent a specific language, field, or group of texts. There are different types of Corpora; for example, monolingual and multilingual.

What is a corpus-based tool? A corpus-based tool is a tool to learn languages that enables users to explore a target language through very specific functions. These functions have the precise goal of making you acquainted with a target language, in order to make you feel more secure in your learning process. This short guide aims at presenting you the possibilities you have as far as learning Italian is concerned (specifically, ItSkell)

What is ItSkELL? “ItSkELL” is a specific software conceived to enhance language learning. “ItSkELL” is “corpus-based”, i.e. it is based on an archive of productions from native speaker. Through this archive you can learn how things work in the target language, making use of specific features.

ItSkELL at Pavia The Language Centre at the University of Pavia strongly supports the use of ItSkELL for language learning improvement. By means of this specific tool and its analytic features you can improve both your lexicon and your linguistic awareness of the ITALIAN LANGUAGE. Are you ready to improve your Italian language?

ItSkELL: what can you do with it? ItSkELL allows you to explore Italian language with a multi-faceted approach. Here are the features you can use: Word search: mono- and multiword search with the possibility to get directly in touch with the actual language use. Word sketch: fixed expressions and commonly associated elements, as adjectives (modifiers), prepositions etc. Similar words (Word cloud): a ready-made conceptual map with the most frequently related lexicon within the same context.

ItSkELL: Word Search What does «mono- and multiword search» mean? You can choose to look up simple words or a sequence of two or more words and investigate how they work within a sentence (usually known as keyword). This will help enrich your Italian vocabulary and competence in the use of fixed expressions by having the actual language use as a benchmark for your progress.

ItSkELL: Word search (monoword search)

ItSkELL: Word search (multiword search)

ItSkELL: Word sketch What does «word sketch» provide in your learning process? Through «word sketch» you can directly observe which words are more frequently linked to the one you searched. This function also categorizes those «linked words» according to their function (adjectives, verbs, synonyms, prepositions etc.). Thanks to the «context» button, you can also observe how the word you looked for works in context with related words.

ItSkELL: Word sketch

ItSkELL: Word sketch

ItSkELL: Word sketch With or without the activation of this «context» function, clicking on one of the «related words» the tool shows you will automatically make a multiword search. This second search shows you the use in context (within a sentence) of the multiword expression you have chosen. This feature grants you a stronger knowledge of the use of those expressions.

Similar words (Word cloud) This function is the most immediate one since it presents a set of words that are linked to that one you’ve chosen (the keyword). Those words are presented in an easily usable way: the biggest ones are the most frequently associated within the same context. Thanks to this ready-made mental map, you can easily gather words that are used in the same contexts of daily life.

Similar words (Word cloud)

Similar words (Word cloud) If you click on one of those words the tool shows, it will lead you to a separate search for the word you clicked on. This will help you create useful links between the words you look for to create a solid network ready for use. The systematic use of this very modern tool will grant you an enrichment of your Italian vocabulary, as well as a deeper comprehension of its usage.

References Baisa, V. and V. Suchomel. (2014). "SkELL Web Interface for English Language Learning". In A. Horák and P. Rychlý (eds.) Proceedings of Recent Advances in Slavonic Natural Language Processing, 63–70. Kilgarriff, A., Marcowitz, F., Smith, S. & Thomas, J. (2015). Corpora and Language Learning with the Sketch Engine and SKELL. Revue française de linguistique appliquée, vol. xx,(1), 61-80.  Reinhardt J. (2010). The potential of corpus informed L2 pedagogy. Studies in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics, 3(1), 239-252. Ushioda, Ema (2009). A person-in-context relational view of emergent motivation, self and identity. In: Dörnyei, Zoltánand Ushioda, Ema, (eds.) Motivation, language identity and the L2 self. Second language acquisition . Bristol, U.K. ; Buffalo, N.Y.: Multilingual Matters, pp. 215- 228. ISBN 9781847691286

Credits Egon W. Stemle from Eurac Research. Elisabetta Ježek, associate professor and director of Language Centre at University of Pavia. Antonio Verolino, Trainee at Language Centre at University of Pavia.

What are you waiting for? Give ItSkELL a try, and make it part of your Italian language learning! Enjoy your research! The Language Centre team.