20.2642, Jobs: English & Lexicography/Lang Acq/Semantics: Consultant, Start-up

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LINGUIST List: Vol-20-2642. Wed Jul 29 2009. ISSN: 1068 - 4875.

Subject: 20.2642, Jobs: English & Lexicography/Lang Acq/Semantics: Consultant, Start-up

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===========================Directory==============================  

1)
Date: 29-Jul-2009
From: Wes Christensen < wes at drillsgt.com >
Subject: English & Lexicography, Language Acquisition, Semantics: Consultant, Start-up Company, Telecommute/San Francisco Bay, CA, USA
 

	
-------------------------Message 1 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:59:19
From: Wes Christensen [wes at drillsgt.com]
Subject: English & Lexicography, Language Acquisition, Semantics: Consultant, Start-up Company, Telecommute/San Francisco Bay, CA, USA

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University or Organization: Start-up Company 
Job Location: California, USA (Telecommute)
Job Rank: Consultant  

Specialty Areas: Language Acquisition; Lexicography; Semantics 

Required Language(s): English (eng)

Description:

Experienced lexicographer / linguist to consult with start-up company
developing an electronic flashcard approach to building a rich, fluent, and
durable English vocabulary. Aimed at native speakers initially, with plans
to expand to ESL and other languages.

Responsibility is to evaluate the current implementation from a linguistic
perspective and advise the developers on how to improve it in the following
areas:

-  Compiling appropriate word lists.
-  Ordering the words using reliable measures of difficulty and/or
commonality (frequency of use).
-  Assessing each user's current vocabulary level.
-  Identifying the senses, inflected forms, variants, and cognates for each
word and their relative importance or significance.
-  Obtaining accurate and usable definitions and usage examples for each sense.
-  Differentiating shadings of meaning, including making use of synset
networks such as Princeton University's WordNet.
-  Obtaining derivative language constructs such as idioms, jargon, catch
phrases, slang, and clichés.
-  Incorporating dialectal and regional differences.
-  Ensuring compliance with copyright laws and assisting in acquiring usage
rights.
-  Devising and evaluating learning strategies in an online, interactive
environment.
-  Evaluating user interfaces to stimulate interest and facilitate learning.
-  Evaluating supplementary learning devices such as mnemonics, heuristic
devices, graphics, illustrations, humor, games, puzzles, and contests.
-  Finding and training research assistants and data entry people.

Skills, Training, and Experience: 

-  Advanced degree or extensive experience in lexicography and building
dictionaries, especially online, interactive dictionaries.
-  Experience in rote learning concepts.
-  Experience in interactive, dynamic, self-directed, self-paced learning
environments.
-  Understanding of computer systems and technology
-  An interest in adapting technology to learning and language acquisition.

This is to be an ongoing assignment. If the company is successful, there
will be opportunities for additional work and possible employment. The
company is open to exploring ways to incorporate the work into graduate or
post-doctoral research.

Please submit a resume electronically (email attachment). Finalists will be
asked to submit at least three relevant references.

Most of the work can be done remotely (not on site). Some preference will
be given to local candidates or who can come to the Bay Area periodically.

Compensation on an hourly basis. Hours are flexible, but will vary and are
difficult to predict. The hourly rate is commensurate with education and
experience. The work will be a combination of direct consultation,
independent research, evaluating existing solutions, and proposing
alternative approaches and enhancements.

Applicants must be able to sign an assignment of intellectual property
agreement covering the output of this work and show proof of authorization
to work in the US.

We are building a first class educational system built on sound linguistic
principles and methodologies. If you want to be part of an innovative
approach to language acquisition in a dynamic, online, interactive
environment, send in a resume.


Application Deadline:  (Open until filled)
	  
Email Address for Applications: wes at drillsgt.com 
Contact Information:
	Owner Wes Christensen 
	Email: wes at drillsgt.com 
	Phone: 650-704-1143 
	Fax: 888-237-7962 



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LINGUIST List: Vol-20-2642