Spell-checking on the fly? On the use of a Swedish dictionary app

Authors: Louise Holmer, Ann-Kristin Hult, Emma Sköldberg

Abstract:
Mobile application software – the app format – offers new ways of using dictionaries. However, so far, only very few user studies of dictionary apps have been conducted. In this article, we present and discuss the results of a web survey on the use of the app version of the monolingual Svenska Akademiens ordlista (the Swedish Academy Glossary, 13th edition, 2006), henceforth the SAOL.
The results show that the SAOL app is used mostly for checking spelling. A more surprising result, since the SAOL is not a definition dictionary, is that it is also frequently used for checking the meaning of words. For forthcoming versions of the glossary, the users request more definitions. Regarding the app, users wish for improved search functions, such as wildcard (truncated) search and cross references. The current app (of the 13th edition) is free. A majority of the users state that they are willing to pay a small sum for an app version of the 14th edition of the SAOL.

Keywords: dictionary apps; user study; web survey; app usage; SAOL

Reference: In Kosem, I., Jakubiček, M., Kallas, J., Krek, S. (eds.) Electronic lexicography in the 21st century: linking lexical data in the digital age. Proceedings of the eLex 2015 conference, 11-13 August 2015, Herstmonceux Castle, United Kingdom. Ljubljana/Brighton: Trojina, Institute for Applied Slovene Studies/Lexical Computing Ltd., pp. 356-371.

URL: https://elex.link/elex2015/proceedings/eLex_2015_23_Holmer+Hult+Skoldberg.pdf

Published: 2015