Texts are routinely simplified to make them more comprehensible for second language learners. However, the effects of simplification upon the linguistic features of texts remain largely unexplored. Here we examine the effects of one type of text simplification: intuitive text simplification. We use the computational tool, Coh-Metrix, to examine linguistic differences between proficiency levels ...

For many applications, it is important that agents be not only correct, but also comprehensible to human users. Typically, people have tr ied to make agents' behavior and reasoning understandable by adding post-hoc specialpurpose explanation systems, wi th often disappointing results. Here, I instead take the comprehensibility of agent behavior as a cent ra l agent design consideration from the...

This paper discusses visual information representation from the perspective of human comprehension. The distortion viewing paradigm is an appropriate focus for this discussion as its motivation has always been to create more understandable displays. While these techniques are becoming increasingly popular for exploring images that are larger than the available screen space, in fact users someti...

The maze task was created for psycholinguistic experimental testing (Forster et al., 2009). However, this paper explores the merits of this task as a language training program for beginning Spanish learners. The attributes of providing ample comprehensible input and immediate corrective feedback allow the maze task to be considered as a potential supplemental pedagogical tool. Moreover, transfe...

This study examined how emergent features, which are made salient in the interpretation of metaphor, are related to metaphor appreciation. According to an incongruity resolution model of poetic appreciation, the role of emergent features in metaphor appreciation is predicted to facilitate poetic appreciation by constituting a richer interpretation when topic–vehicle similarity is lower. Two exp...

This article examines the evolving instructional practice of one Chinese dual language instructor in US as she employs a translanguaging-inspired approach her math and science Mandarin medium classes. Contrary to school allocation policy requiring 90% classes, encourages utilization English well instruction. offers comprehensible input learners, also making possible greater student participatio...