Corpus-based comparison of lexical complexity in L1 and L2 postgraduate academic writing

This study adopted a corpus-based, contrastive approach to lexical complexity in the academic writing of first language (L1) and second (L2) postgraduates. Lexical scores were extracted using Complexity Analyzer from Corpus Arab Proficient Users English (CAPUE), consisting Saudi academics’ dissertations applied linguistics. To investigate potential differences between this corpus native speakers’ corpus, material CAPUE Native Speakers (CENS) compared. The computational system employed 25 measures two groups’ density, sophistication, variation. results revealed similar density both groups; however, texts by L1 researchers more lexically complex for most sophistication have implications teaching purposes highlights areas with inappropriate choices. These findings call design pedagogical interventions enhance development L2