Language Technology Research Articles

Using Interactive Language Development Tools to Enhance Cognitive and Literacy Skills in K-12 Education

The incorporation of interactive language technologies, such as ChatGPT, into K-12 education has sparked interest as a way to improve language acquisition and cognitive development. This qualitative study investigates the perspectives and experiences of educators enrolled in the Advanced Teaching MEd program who have implemented ChatGPT in their language classes. The study investigates the influence of ChatGPT on language competence, cognitive skills, and literacy development using educator interviews, classroom observations, and a comprehensive literature analysis. The findings underscore ChatGPT's dynamic and interactive nature, which encourages active involvement, knowledge production, and tailored support in the zone of proximal growth. Furthermore, the study demonstrates how ChatGPT improves language proficiency by offering authentic language experiences, timely feedback, and exposure to a variety of linguistic structures. ChatGPT integration helps students become confident communicators and teachers construct dynamic classes that adapt to specific learning needs. Future research should look at the long-term impact of interactive language tools, the importance of teacher training, and the cultural and socioeconomic aspects that influence their use and efficacy. This work adds to the continuing efforts to improve language learning outcomes in K-12 education by increasing our understanding of how interactive language tools can boost cognitive development and language competency.

Neural machine translation of clinical text: an empirical investigation into multilingual pre-trained language models and transfer-learning.

Clinical text and documents contain very rich information and knowledge in healthcare, and their processing using state-of-the-art language technology becomes very important for building intelligent systems for supporting healthcare and social good. This processing includes creating language understanding models and translating resources into other natural languages to share domain-specific cross-lingual knowledge. In this work, we conduct investigations on clinical text machine translation by examining multilingual neural network models using deep learning such as Transformer based structures. Furthermore, to address the language resource imbalance issue, we also carry out experiments using a transfer learning methodology based on massive multilingual pre-trained language models (MMPLMs). The experimental results on three sub-tasks including (1) clinical case (CC), (2) clinical terminology (CT), and (3) ontological concept (OC) show that our models achieved top-level performances in the ClinSpEn-2022 shared task on English-Spanish clinical domain data. Furthermore, our expert-based human evaluations demonstrate that the small-sized pre-trained language model (PLM) outperformed the other two extra-large language models by a large margin in the clinical domain fine-tuning, which finding was never reported in the field. Finally, the transfer learning method works well in our experimental setting using the WMT21fb model to accommodate a new language space Spanish that was not seen at the pre-training stage within WMT21fb itself, which deserves more exploitation for clinical knowledge transformation, e.g. to investigate into more languages. These research findings can shed some light on domain-specific machine translation development, especially in clinical and healthcare fields. Further research projects can be carried out based on our work to improve healthcare text analytics and knowledge transformation. Our data is openly available for research purposes at: https://github.com/HECTA-UoM/ClinicalNMT.

Online learning in Ukraine: Challenges and tools for identifying difficulties in adaptation and socialization of Chinese students in a university environment: A case study

This research addressed the critical topic of Chinese students' adaptation at Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National Economic University, focusing on online learning. The study assessed the effectiveness of support tools using structured questionnaires to measure professional and academic adaptation levels of Chinese students, revealing associated challenges. The research methodology integrates surveys, observation, and statistical data analysis to objectively assess comfort levels, identify critical issues, and evaluate the effectiveness of support tools, contributing to enhanced professional and academic standards. In research was employing surveys, observations, documentary analysis, and a review of official documents, and explored various facets of adaptation, including general issues and social interactions in the online environment. Data analysis uncovers key challenges during adaptation, leading to specific recommendations for improving online learning. Challenges faced by students adapting to remote education in a Ukrainian higher education institution are identified, including language barriers hindering language learning and communication for Chinese students, and cultural differences complicating adaptation and technology integration. The results highlight aspects complicating Chinese students' adaptation to the online environment, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and technology adaptation. Despite high technological literacy, it remains crucial to tailor educational materials and platforms to the specific needs of Chinese students. The study addresses significant challenges, providing recommendations as a foundation for support programs and optimizing conditions for online learning among Chinese students in a university setting, ultimately enhancing their professional and academic success. The findings contribute significantly to the scientific discourse, offering valuable insights to inform the development of strategies aimed at improving conditions for students' adaptation to the university environment, especially within the online format

Describing Engagement in the Collegiate Concert Band Rehearsal

The purpose of this multiple case study was to investigate engagement in the collegiate concert band setting. Research questions were: (1) How do collegiate band students describe their engagement in large ensemble rehearsals? (2) How do collegiate band directors describe engagement in large ensemble rehearsals? and (3) What does rehearsal engagement look like in action? Cross-case analysis suggested that student engagement is related to personal/temporal factors, the repertoire and instructional strategies, and interpersonal factors among students and between the student and director. Directors spoke of the responsibility and pressure they felt to encourage independence and the challenges of establishing a collaborative, agentic environment. Observation field notes reflected variety in body language, liveliness, and hands-on interactions and technology distractions.

Zipper-based embedding of strategic attribute grammars

Strategic term re-writing and attribute grammars are two powerful programming techniques widely used in language engineering. The former relies on strategies to apply term re-write rules in defining large-scale language transformations, while the latter is suitable to express context-dependent language processing algorithms. These two techniques can be expressed and combined via a powerful navigation abstraction: generic zippers. This results in a concise zipper-based embedding offering the expressiveness of both techniques. In addition, we increase the functionalities of strategic programming, enabling the definition of outwards traversals; i.e. outside the starting position.Such elegant embedding has a severe limitation since it recomputes attribute values. This paper presents a proper and efficient embedding of both techniques. First, attribute values are memoized in the zipper data structure, thus avoiding their re-computation. Moreover, strategic zipper based functions are adapted to access such memoized values. We have hosted our memoized zipper-based embedding of strategic attribute grammars both in the Haskell and Python programming languages. Moreover, we benchmarked the libraries supporting both embedding against the state-of-the-art Haskell-based Strafunski and Scala-based Kiama libraries. The first results show that our Haskell Ztrategic library is very competitive against those two well established libraries.

Mathematics, word problems, common sense, and artificial intelligence

The paper discusses the capacities and limitations of current artificial intelligence (AI) technology to solve word problems that combine elementary mathematics with commonsense reasoning. No existing AI systems can solve these reliably. We review three approaches that have been developed, using AI natural language technology: outputting the answer directly, outputting a computer program that solves the problem, and outputting a formalized representation that can be input to an automated theorem verifier. We review some benchmarks that have been developed to evaluate these systems and some experimental studies. We discuss the limitations of the existing technology at solving these kinds of problems. We argue that it is not clear whether these kinds of limitations will be important in developing AI technology for pure mathematical research, but that they will be important in applications of mathematics, and may well be important in developing programs capable of reading and understanding mathematical content written by humans.

Diversity and language technology: how language modeling bias causes epistemic injustice

It is well known that AI-based language technology—large language models, machine translation systems, multilingual dictionaries, and corpora—is currently limited to three percent of the world’s most widely spoken, financially and politically backed languages. In response, recent efforts have sought to address the “digital language divide” by extending the reach of large language models to “underserved languages.” We show how some of these efforts tend to produce flawed solutions that adhere to a hard-wired representational preference for certain languages, which we call language modeling bias. Language modeling bias is a specific and under-studied form of linguistic bias were language technology by design favors certain languages, dialects, or sociolects with respect to others. We show that language modeling bias can result in systems that, while being precise regarding languages and cultures of dominant powers, are limited in the expression of socio-culturally relevant notions of other communities. We further argue that at the root of this problem lies a systematic tendency of technology developer communities to apply a simplistic understanding of diversity which does not do justice to the more profound differences that languages, and ultimately the communities that speak them, embody. Drawing on the concept of epistemic injustice, we point to the broader ethico-political implications and show how it can lead not only to a disregard for valuable aspects of diversity but also to an under-representation of the needs of marginalized language communities. Finally, we present an alternative socio-technical approach that is designed to tackle some of the analyzed problems.

Language technologies impact on modern communication: analysis of new formats, challenges, and education

Updating modern communication requires the improvement of innovative language technologies to facilitate communication in remote conditions. The process of modern communication requires integration into the world and European space currently. Modern society faces more and more new communication challenges that need to be solved. Therefore, our research aimed to identify innovative language technologies that are often used by modern society and to determine their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, the article deals with studying the peculiarities of modern communication. To achieve the purposes of the research, such methods were used: theoretical: analysis of scientific literature; empirical: questionnaires, interviews; graphics. The results of the study made it possible to define the most popular language technologies in Ukraine, and their pros and cons. Searching the problem provided the opportunities to determine the main formats and challenges that influence modern communication and the ways to improve innovative language technologies facilities for comfortable communication.

Use of AI-powered technologies in upper secondary language learning

For many years, language technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI) have been influencing foreign language teaching. This is only expected to increase with the introduction of tools like ChatGPT. Until now, particularly machine translation (MT) has challenged Danish upper secondary language teachers, and the reaction has typically been to prohibit MT and thus not integrate it into teaching. However, this can be problematic if students use MT anyway, e.g. because it can result in inappropriate use of the technology. Likewise, today, we often come across machine translations and other AI-based texts online. This article presents the results of a survey conducted in language subjects of upper secondary students' use of and attitudes towards MT. The study shows a widespread use of MT, e.g. for homework and hand-in assignments. Against this background, and based on digital literacy theory, perspectives in incorporating AI-powered language technologies into foreign language teaching are discussed.

Full-Fledged Access and Usability of Content in a Digital Cultural Heritage Library: Approaches, Paradigms, and Implementation

The current research presents an approach to the improvement of the librarian infrastructure via the integration of advanced technology and solutions aiming at an immediate, smooth, and continuous adaptation of the libraries in line with 21st-century needs. In particular, this article discusses the design and development of an innovative library environment ensuring descriptive cataloging, subject indexing, intelligent data searching, curation, and collection development aiming to meet the functional needs related to the increasingly growing users’ expectations. The effectiveness of the approach has been validated in the Regional Library “Peyo Yavorov”–Burgas, Bulgaria, an associated content provider in the Bulgarian National Interdisciplinary Research E-Infrastructure for Bulgarian Language and Cultural Heritage Resources and Technologies (CLaDA-BG). Testing of the system was made to assure its stability and reliability.

Qualities of good medical teacher as perceived by medical (MBBS) students of a private medical college in Lahore, Pakistan

Introduction: In human societies, teachers play a fundamental role; teacher is more than just an educator. The present research aims to analyze the perceptions of medical (MBBS) students towards the personality traits and qualities of an excellent teacher so that standards can be set for teaching philosophy.
 Methodology: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted at Azra Naheed Medical College, Superior University Lahore. After informed consent, 200 medical (MBBS) students of both genders participated in the study. Each student filled out a questionnaire compromising the qualities of an excellent medical teacher. 
 Result: According to the student responses, the most commonly agreed factor for an excellent medical teacher was 'Medical Teacher uses simple language' reported by 113 (56.5%) students, followed by 'Medical Teacher uses technology' in 107 (53.5%), 'Medical Teacher has command on the subject' in 106 (53.0%), 'Medical Teacher is enthusiastic about the subject' 105 (52.5%), 'Medical Teacher summarizes topic at the end of the lecture' 105 (52.5%), 'Medical Teacher announces topic one week before lecture' 96 (48.0%), Textbooks are allowed by Medical Teacher during lectures' (94 (47.0%), 'Medical Teacher begins class by asking questions related to the topic' 86 (43%), students reported 'Handouts are given to students by medical teacher' 83 (41.5%) and 61 (30.5%) students said 'There are breaks for discussions and group activities for students during class'.
 Conclusion: According to medical (MBBS) students, an excellent medical teacher uses simple language technology, has command of the subject, is enthusiastic and summarizes the topic at the end of the lecture.

Jezikovne tehnologije in jezikovno načrtovanje

On the one hand, language technologies strengthen the traditional language planning processes, i.e. the planning of the status and the corpus of the language, but on the other hand, they have other effects as well, which still need to be assessed from a sociolinguistic perspective, since they are not positive a priori. For a constructive synergy of technology and language planning, an interdisciplinary co-operation of disciplines from the fields of humanities and IT is necessary in all the decisive stages of the development of language technology applications.

Layers of technology in pluriversal design decolonising language technology with the live language initiative

ABSTRACT Language technology has the potential to facilitate intercultural communication through meaningful translations. However, the current state of language technology is deeply entangled with colonial knowledge due to path dependencies and neo-colonial tendencies in the global governance of artificial intelligence (AI). Language technology is a complex and emerging field that presents challenges for co-design interventions due to enfolding in assemblages of global scale and diverse sites and its knowledge intensity. This paper uses LiveLanguage, a lexical database, a set of services with particular emphasis on modelling language diversity and integrating small and minority languages, as an example to discuss and close the gap from pluriversal design theory to practice. By diversifying the concept of emerging technology, we can better approach language technology in global contexts. The paper presents a model comprising of five layers of technological activity. Each layer consists of specific practices and stakeholders, thus provides distinctive spaces for co-design interventions as mode of inquiry for de-linking, re-thinking and re-building language technology towards pluriversality. In that way, the paper contributes to reflecting the position of co-design in decolonising emergent technologies, and to integrating complex theoretical knowledge towards decoloniality into language technology design.

Bridging Linguistic Divides? A Critical Exploration of Machine Translation’s Role in Fostering Cross-Cultural Accessibility in Literature

This article is situated at the interstices of literary translation and language technology, and revolves around the multifaceted concept of Weltliteratur. It is conceived of as an invitation to a critical dialogue on leveraging machine translation to promote linguistic and cultural diversity in literature. In a globalised world where cultural flows are not equally distributed, the need arises to examine the role of machine translation as a tool to promote diversity in the linguistic and cultural landscape, thus establishing what might be considered a Weltliteratur. Drawing from mainstays in translation studies, computational linguistics, cultural and literary studies, this article proposes strategies for leveraging machine translation effectively, but also cautions against an all too simplistic adoption of language technology in the steadfast pursuit of a more diverse and inclusive literature. Ultimately, this article aims to spark a debate on the balance between technological efficiency and the complexities of cultural representation in literary translation.

Framework Design of Blockchain Intelligent Technology for Chinese Language Teaching Management System

In order to solve the problems of security and efficiency in Chinese teaching and management, this paper uses the intelligent technology of block chain to achieve this goal. First of all, this project intends to use block chain technology for distributed storage to solve the problems of data tampering and embezzlement in the traditional system. Secondly, through the design of intelligent contract to standardize the management of system operation, enhance the real-time and fairness of the interactive process. In addition, the distributed authentication technology is adopted to ensure the integrity of the user's identity and the clarity of the information. Finally, the safety evaluation 8.68 and the efficiency evaluation 8.65 are given, which proves that the proposed method is effective.

Применение смешанного подхода в обучении студентов иностранному языку

This article deals with the problem of foreign language blended learning in higher educational institutions. Technological progress, the development of educational innovative forms requires the introduction of blended learning technology in educational institutions. The article notes the relevance of using digital educational resources and online platforms in the educational process. The combination of electronic resources and traditional methods contributes to the individualization of education, the formation of skills for independent students’ activity, the achievement of higher learning outcomes which contributes to an increase in competitive specialists in the labor market. The authors identified the main advantages and disadvantages of the blended learning technology for a foreign language based on the study. This study shows that blended learning is a preferred mode of learning over e-learning or distance learning and offers many advantages for learners, teachers and educational institutions.

Technologies in content and language integrated learning: types, purposes, and outcomes

Technologies in content and language integrated learning: types, purposes, and outcomes

Construction of Online English Teaching Management System in Universities Based on VR

Abstract The full English name of VR (Virtual Reality) is a new technology in the computer field. This technology has been widely used and invested in most fields, which shows its reliability and strong computing power. This technology has also played a very important role in the courses taught in colleges and universities. Because of the addition of this technology in college teaching, both language and physical and chemical disciplines have achieved very good results in college teaching, which is why all walks of life also value VR. However, as far as the current situation is concerned, VR still has many problems and difficulties that need to be solved, which also reminds us that we need to look at each issue dialectically. This paper studies the construction of an online English teaching management system in colleges and universities based on VR to achieve scientific and systematic teaching methods and good teaching results. The test results show that the quality of online college English teaching using VR technology has reached 78.93, which is 24.36 higher than that of traditional teaching methods. Therefore, the use of VR technology in English teaching has its unique advantages. This paper can also carry out effective experiments for different experimental objects.

ChatGPT in finance: Applications, challenges, and solutions

The emergence of ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence tool, has sparked a revolution in the finance industry, enabling individuals to interact with technology in natural language. However, the use of ChatGPT in finance presents a profound array of ethical considerations that demand careful scrutiny to ensure its responsible and ethical use. After a concise exploration of ChatGPT's applications in finance, this policy article delves into the ethical challenges arising from the use of ChatGPT in finance, including outcomes contaminated with biases, incorporation of fake information in the financial decisions, concerns surrounding privacy and security, lack of transparency and accountability in the decision-making processes and financial services, human job displacement, and the intricate web of legal complexities. Our article asserts that financial institutions employing ChatGPT must proactively devise strategies to confront these burgeoning challenges, mitigating their adverse effects on both individuals and society as a whole. Additionally, we propose relevant policies to tackle these ethical quandaries head-on. In essence, this article illuminates the imperative need for a meticulous ethical framework, facilitating an informed and responsible use of ChatGPT in the realm of finance, safeguarding the welfare of individuals and society. While our work significantly contributes to the research and practice of finance, we also identify future research avenues.

Technologies in content and language integrated learning: types, purposes, and outcomes

Technologies in content and language integrated learning: types, purposes, and outcomes