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Category: Project

Description: Word profiling of texts has long been a core methodology in vocabulary research. This approach is used to measure the number of words in a language, assess the vocabulary complexity and suitability of teaching materials, determine target items for vocabulary size testing, and identify discipline-specific vocabulary for language-focused learning, among other applications. While this approach has yielded many valuable insights, critics have raised concerns about the underlying model of language on which traditional profiling is based. Some have suggested that inflectional and derivational information should be considered separately, while others have suggested that multiword units (MWUs) should also be included in profiling tools. Going further, one could question the fundamental assumption in profiling that words (or MWUs) can be considered discrete items. One could also question whether general-purpose tools are appropriate for profiling discipline-specific texts, where general words may take on highly specialized meanings. In this plenary talk, I will first review the current state of vocabulary profiling tools and methods, highlighting their strengths while also discussing their limitations. Next, I will introduce and explain the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in vocabulary research. Innovations such as word and sentence embeddings provide researchers with sophisticated models of language use that capture the rich and multifaceted nature of vocabulary. These tools enable the exploration of multiword units and the identification of distinct language patterns across various disciplines. Furthermore, I will explain how embedding models serve as the foundation for Large Language Models (LLMs), which can generate language in various genres, registers, and discipline-specific contexts, offering exciting new directions for vocabulary research. I will conclude with a discussion on the future roles of traditional vocabulary researchers and emphasize the importance of collaborative research in a multidisciplinary context.