Are the frequency of the selected words or lexical complexity appropriate criteria for assessing the vocabulary knowledge of writers?
To what extent can we truly assess the depth of the writers'' vocabulary knowledge based on their written product?
Let's suppose that you ask a research participant to translate a word from his/her L1 into English. The L1 word is placed in an English sentence. The two participants translate the word into English and both of them are appropriate in the provided context. One of them took more time to answer, and preferred to select less frequent word while the other one choose the most frequent vocabulary. Which one should be scored higher?
Thanks in advance for your response
I think I would evaluate the person employing the elevated vocabulary higher (assuming not other information is available).
The longer translation time may not be because of lower ability, but rather considering complex nuances of meaning which are lost on the person providing the simplistic translation.
Hi,
One question may be asked is whether the translator who chose the more frequent word knew other more complicated words, yet decided to use a simpler one. If this is not the case then the one who used a higher level word should receive a higher score. As you assess their ability, I think a time limit should be given. If it takes longer, yet still within the time frame, then it should not be a problem.
You can look at the marking rubric for IELTS for more reference.
There is a time limit, and conducting the pre-test to assess the participants' breadth of vocabulary knowledge revealed that they have the receptive knowledge of the intended words.
The problem is where you have 2 answers which are both semantically and pragmaticlly correct; however, the frequency of their use is different. So which one is the expert?
Forough Kasiri should the frequency of word use be considered an expert use?
Of course not, the question is that when we want to assess writing expertise, the amount of time the L2 write ponders to use the complex less frequent word, regardless of knowing the most frequent one, could be assumed as an expert performance in writing or not?
This is while another writer prefered to use a more frequent word, devoting less time.
Both selected words are appropriate in the provided context.
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