Mobile apps as language-learning tools: Challenges, problems and solutions of specialised lexicography
SilgaSviķe
Ventspils University of Applied Sciences
Abstract
This contribution researches various translation dictionaries – mobile apps with Latvian that are available for
free on the Google Play Store and sets out the experience of developing specialised translation dictionaries at Ventspils
University of Applied Sciences (VUAS). The results encounter three different dictionary models that are compiled for the
acquisition of Languages for Special Purposes (LSPs) to support vocabulary (term) learning, translation, reading, listening and
writing skills during the foreign language-learning process. Dictionaries with grammatical information and rich, supportive data
or encyclopaedic information added are more useful for understanding specific domain concepts and content, as well as for the
translation practice. Thus, the dictionary user does not have to look for another application or other source to get this
additional information. Each new app takes up some space on the user’s smart device; therefore, it is important to maximise the
support provided by a single dictionary. The research provides insight into the range of dictionaries with Latvian available on
the Google Play Store, gives a brief description, and explains the practical experience of VUAS when working on developing such
dictionaries and applying them for language-learning purposes and specialised terminology courses for students. The study also
provides an overview of challenges, problems and lexicographic and information technology solutions for mobile applications. The
goal of the research is analysing and characterising those free-of-charge dictionaries in the form of mobile apps with Latvian as
one of the translation languages. Surveys were used to gather and analyse research data. A survey of dictionary users and a survey
of language learners using dictionary apps were carried out after the development of the specialised dictionaries.
Dictionary apps are valuable tools because of their capacity for publishing media and the fact that they are available for
use on mobile devices that are always available. Certainly, the contents and functionality of such dictionaries are important so that
they can be swiftly and effectively used for language learning and translating. Most of the largest compilers of general dictionaries
have quickly adapted to the increased use of various mobile devices and have developed mobile versions for their dictionaries (e.g.,
the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the Oxford Dictionary of English). This is generally applied to the larger and more popular languages,
whereas the offer for languages like Latvian currently is not as wide. Although the development of specialised dictionaries in the
form of mobile apps is a relatively recent trend, the number and use of such dictionaries are constantly increasing.
References
Balode, I.
(2012) Vācu-latviešu
un latviešu-vācu leksikogrāfija (1991–2010). In A. Lauzis (Ed.), Vārdnīcu
izstrāde Latvijā 1991–2010. Pētījums J. Baldunčika
vadībā (pp. 16–61). Latviešu
valodas aģentūra.
(2016) Mūsdienu
latviešu terminogrāfijas raksturojuma daži teorētiskie un praktiskie
aspekti. In J. Baldunčiks, I. Jansone, & A. Veisbergs (Eds.), Latviešu
valodas vārdnīca. Valsts valodas komisijas
raksti (8, pp. 127–158.). Zinātne.
Kacetl, J., & Klimová, B.
(2019) Use
of smartphone applications in English language learning – A challenge for foreign language
education. Education
Sciences, 9(3), 179.
Komachali, M. E., & Khodareza, M.
(2012) The
effect of using vocabulary flash card on Iranian pre-university students’ vocabulary
knowledge. International Educational
Studies, 5(3), 134–147.
Mondria, J. A., & Mondria-de
Vries, S.
(1994) Efficiently
memorizing words with the help of word cards and “hand computer”: Theory and
applications. System, 22(1), 47–57.
Müller-Spitzer, C.
(2013) Textual
structures in electronic dictionaries compared with printed dictionaries: A short general
survey. In R. H. Gouws, U. Heid, W. Schweickard, & H. E. Wiegand (Eds.), Dictionaries:
An international encyclopedia of lexicography. Supplementary volume: Recent developments with a focus on electronic and
computational
lexicography (pp. 367–381). De
Gruyter Mouton.
Pym, A., Malmkjær, K., & Guttierrez-Colon
Plana, M.
(Eds.) (2013) Translation
and language learning: The role of translation in the teaching of languages in the European
Union. Publications Office of the European Union.
[ p. 35 ]
Rudziša, V., Sviķe, S., & Štekerhofa, S.
(2019) Juridisko pamatterminu glosārijs līgumtiesībās Latvijā izdoto nozarvārdnīcu
kontekstā / Glossary of contract law terms in the context of term glossaries
issued in Latvia. In G. Smiltniece & L. Lauze (Eds.), Vārds
un tā pētīšanas aspekti: Rakstu
krājums, 23 (pp. 379–391). LiePA.
Sviķe, S.
(2018) A
new dictionary of botanical terms: Data analysis of a lexicographic survey. Economics
World, 6(3), 228–241.
Sviķe, S., Kaija, I., Gorbunovs, A., Veckalne, A., & Šķirmante, K.
(2020) Medicīnas terminu vārdnīca: Mobilās lietotnes izstrādes metodoloģija un izmantotie digitālie
resursi / Glossary of medical terms: Development of the methodology of the
mobile application and digital resources used. In G. Smiltniece & L. Lauze (Eds.), Vārds
un tā pētīšanas aspekti: Rakstu
krājums, 24 (1/2, pp. 412–424). LiePA.
Sviķe, S., & Šķirmante, K.
(2019) Practice
of smart LSP lexicography: The case of a new botanical dictionary with Latvian as a basic
language. In I. Kosem, T.
Zingano Kuhn, M. Correia, J. P. Ferreria, M. Jansen, I. Pereira, J. Kallas, M. Jakubíček, S. Krek, & C. Tiberius (Eds.), Electronic
lexicography in the 21st century. Proceedings of the eLex 2019 Conference, 1–3 October 2019, Sintra,
Portugal (pp. 1–17). Lexical
Computing CZ.
Sviķe, S., & Stalažs, A.
(2019) Jaunās botāniskās vārdnīcas mikrostruktūra: Tradicionālais, mainīgais,
inovativais / Microstructure of the new dictionary of botanical terms:
Traditional, variable and innovative aspects. In G. Smiltniece & L. Lauze (Eds.), Vārds
un tā pētīšanas aspekti: Rakstu
krājums, 23 (pp. 418–429). LiePA.
Van der
Yeught, M.
(2018) Charting
the diachronic dimension of specialised languages: Epistemological challenges and pedagogical
relevance. In N. Monnier (Ed.), Languages
for specific purposes in
history (pp. 1–15). Cambridge
Scholars.