Preview

Vestnik of North-Eastern Federal University. Pedagogics. Psychology. Philosophy

Advanced search

Assessing text complexity using the RuLingva linguistic lnalyzer: The case of Russian folk song lyrics

https://doi.org/10.25587/2587-5604-2026-1-45-58

Abstract

The objective of the study was to demonstrate the capabilities of the RuLingva platform for selecting and modifying texts for teaching Russian as a foreign language (RFL) using Russian folk songs as an example. The study included 107 Russian folk songs, comprising 10,517 word forms. The study included the following algorithms: collecting research material and ranking songs by thematic cycles; creating a corpus of Russian folk songs; determining the FRGL readability index, the TTR lexical diversity index, the language level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and the number of occurrences of cultural code units in Russian folk songs. The study revealed that Russian folk songs are presented in the process of teaching RFL as an original educational text, a fact of foreign language culture, suitable for educational communication and possessing a symbolic function. The RuLingva linguistic analyzer allows one to determine the complexity of a text and its correspondence to the level of knowledge of students, as well as to optimize teaching materials for specific groups of students and provides an assessment of progress in the form of developed tests for assessing vocabulary. This program can be useful for teachers and developers of assessment and measurement materials (AMMs) and is applicable to Russian-language educational texts.

About the Authors

M. B. Kazachkova
Odintsovo Branch, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University)
Russian Federation

KAZACHKOVA Maria Borisovna – Cand. Sci. (Philology), Associate Professor, Department of the English Language

Scopus ID: 57216807031

Researcher ID: G-7529-2018

Odintsovo



Kh. N. Galimova
V. G. Timiryasov Kazan Innovative University
Russian Federation

GALIMOVA Khalida Nurislamovna – Cand. Sci. (Philology), Associate Professor. Department of Foreign Languages and Translation

Kazan



References

1. Vakhrusheva A. Ya., Solnyshkina M. I., Kupriyanov R. V., et al. Linguistic Complexity of Educational Texts. Issues of Journalism, Pedagogy, and Linguistics. 2021:(1):89–99. Available at: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/lingvisticheskaya-slozhnost-uchebnyh-tekstov (accessed: 21 January 2026) (in Russian).

2. Fisher D., Frey N., Lapp D. Text Complexity: Raising Rigor in Reading. Newark, International Reading Association; 2012:212.

3. Pulido D. Modeling the Role of Second Language Proficiency and Topic Familiarity in Second Language Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition through Reading. 2004:469–523.

4. Arutyunov A.R. Theory and Practice of Creating a Russian Language Textbook for Foreigners. Moscow: Rus. lang. 1990: 76 (in Russian).

5. Gridneva N.A. Using Authentic Materials in Teaching a Foreign Language at Level A1. Samara Scientific Bulletin. 2017:21(4):210–214 (in Russian).

6. Laposhina A.N., Lebedeva M.Yu. Corpus-Based Approach to Solving the Problem of Vocabulary Selection in Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language. Slavica Helsingiensia. 2019: 2: 59–368 (in Russian).

7. Laposhina A. N., Lebedeva M. Yu. Textometer: An Online Tool for Determining the Difficulty Level of Texts in Russian as a Foreign Language. Russists. 2021:(3):331–345. Available at: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/tekstometr-onlayn-instrument-opredeleniya-urovnya-slozhnosti-teksta-po-russkomu-yazyku-kak-inostrannomu (accessed: 21 January 2026) (in Russian).

8. Laposhina A. N. An Experimental Study of the Complexity of Texts in Russian as a Foreign Language. Dynamics of Linguistic and Cultural Processes in Modern Russia: Proceedings of the VI Congress of the Russian Association of Foreign Languages, Ufa, October 11–14, 2018. Collection of Articles. 2018:(6):1544–1549 (in Russian).

9. Solnyshkina M.I., Kiselnikov A.S. Text Complexity: Stages of Study in Domestic Applied Linguistics. Bulletin of Tomsk State University. Philology. 2015:(38):6:86–99 (in Russian).

10. Churunina A.A., Solnyshkina M.I., Yarmakeev I.E. Lexical Diversity as a Predictor of Complexity of Russian Language Textbooks. Russian Language Studies. 2023:21(2):212–227 (in Russian).

11. Kazachkova M.B., Galimova Kh.N. Lexical Diversity as a Parameter of Text Complexity. Bulletin of Mari State University. 2021:15(3):384–390 (in Russian).

12. Solnyshkina M. I., Soloviev V. D., Ebzeeva Yu. N. Approaches and Tools for Linguistic Profiling of Russian-Language Texts. Russists. 2024:(4):501–517 (in Russian).

13. Ivanova T.K. Objectification of Media Sphere Text Complexity Criteria Using the RuLingva Analyzer. Medialinguistics. Issue 11. Language in Mass Media Coordinates: Proceedings of the VIII International Scientific Conference (St. Petersburg, June 26–29, 2024). Ed. L. R. Duskaeva, Ed. A. A. Malyshev. St. Petersburg: Mediapapir; 2024:750 (in Russian).

14. Miloslavskaya S. K. A textbook of Russian as a foreign language is a unique means of shaping the image of Russia in the world: Towards a theoretical justification of linguopedagogical imagology. Bulletin of RUDN University. Education Issues: Languages and Specialties. 2008:(4):10–15 (in Russian).

15. Laposhina A. N., Lebedeva M.Yu. Textometer: an online tool for determining the difficulty level of a text in Russian as a foreign language. Russistics. 2021:(3):331–345 (in Russian).


Review

For citations:


Kazachkova M.B., Galimova Kh.N. Assessing text complexity using the RuLingva linguistic lnalyzer: The case of Russian folk song lyrics. Vestnik of North-Eastern Federal University. Pedagogics. Psychology. Philosophy. 2026;(1):45-58. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25587/2587-5604-2026-1-45-58

Views: 45

JATS XML


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.


ISSN 2587-5604 (Online)