Adaptation of a computerized dictionary for language learning: The "Trésor de la Langue Française informatisé" and French language

The objective of this article is to present the first results of a research related to the design of a linguistic resource dedicated to help pupils in their learning process. We intend to show how a dictionary for language specialists can be adapted in order to help children to learn French language. By "linguistic resource" we mean any document (paper and computerized), which presents us with information related to language. Among these documents, we can quote language dictionaries, encyclopaedias, lexicons and glossaries, etc. The use of these documents is recommended for the preparation of the baccalaureate, the exam taken by pupils before leaving high school. Indeed, French teachers are asked by the French Department of Education to integrate dictionaries, encyclopaedias and databases in their courses, as well as documents related to the press [Ministère de l'Education Nationale 2002]. This paper first presents the main computerized dictionary called the TLFi (Trésor de la langue française informatisé, which can be translated as "Computerized Treasury of the French Language") created by the research laboratory ATILF (Analyse et Traitement Informatique de la Langue Française). Then, we will present various uses of this dictionary for French learning in France. We will specifically focus on three didactic situations during which the dictionary is used