Main Article Content
Various uses of a spelling checker project: practical experiences, teaching, and
Abstract
In this article we give an overview
of various aspects of a project developing a spelling checker for Afrikaans. We
discuss two of the main aims of the project, viz. for researchers to obtain
practical experience, and to enhance learning of both researchers and students.
This article, therefore, consists of two relatively independent parts that each
describes aspects related to these two aims. The first part describes the
actual spelling checker. The existing spelling checker is evaluated and, based
on the results, improvements are introduced and implemented. Remaining problems
are discussed and possible solutions are proposed. We illustrate how practical
experience was obtained during the evolution of the project. The second part
discusses the underlying teaching and learning benefits of the project. This
includes improving our knowledge of computational linguistics applied to
Afrikaans, improving programming skills for linguists, and communication
between experts in different fields. We also give an overview of how the
project is used for problem-oriented and project-organised educational
purposes, and how it solves certain problems related to a shortage of
computational linguistic tools and resources for Afrikaans.
Southern African Linguistics and
Applied Language Studies 2003, 21(4): 327–340
of various aspects of a project developing a spelling checker for Afrikaans. We
discuss two of the main aims of the project, viz. for researchers to obtain
practical experience, and to enhance learning of both researchers and students.
This article, therefore, consists of two relatively independent parts that each
describes aspects related to these two aims. The first part describes the
actual spelling checker. The existing spelling checker is evaluated and, based
on the results, improvements are introduced and implemented. Remaining problems
are discussed and possible solutions are proposed. We illustrate how practical
experience was obtained during the evolution of the project. The second part
discusses the underlying teaching and learning benefits of the project. This
includes improving our knowledge of computational linguistics applied to
Afrikaans, improving programming skills for linguists, and communication
between experts in different fields. We also give an overview of how the
project is used for problem-oriented and project-organised educational
purposes, and how it solves certain problems related to a shortage of
computational linguistic tools and resources for Afrikaans.
Southern African Linguistics and
Applied Language Studies 2003, 21(4): 327–340
