Why wordlists matter?

Some context

Priorities : With limited recording capabilities, it is better to use frequency lists to record the most frequent words first. With unlimited recording abilities, the order doesn’t matter much since we we assume that all the target words will eventually be recorded. Frequency lists have high correlation between languages.

Corpus’purpose : As for language’s learning, written transcripts of spoken language such as films’ subtitles are known to be better materials (see SUBTLEX studies, 2007). Other corpuses will also allows you to do a good work to provide audio recording. For lexicographic purposes as Wiktionary, rare words are as interesting as frequent words, and the aim is to provide all items with their audio.

Consistency : It is best to provide consistent audio data, with same neutral or enhousiastic tone and same speaker.

Lexicon range for learners : For language learners and assuming learning via the most frequent words, a minimum vocabulary of 2000-2500 base-words is required to move the learner to autonomous level. Language teaching academics name this level the “threshold level”. The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment), Chinese’s HSK levels and their pairing with CEFR levels, and some academic researches lead to the following relation between lexicon size, CEFR level and competence :

Lexicon's size

Lexicon(*)	Levels	CEFR’s descriptors
600	A1	“Basic user. Breakthrough or beginner”. Survival communication, expressing basic needs.
1,200	A2	“Basic user. Waystage or elementary”
2,500	B1	“Independant user. Threshold or intermediate”.
5,000	B2	“Independant user. Vantage or upper intermediate”
20,000+	C2	“Mastery or proficiency”. Native after graduation from highschool.

(*) : Assuming the most frequent word-families learnt first.

See also CEFR 5.2.1.1 (image), with the most relevant section cited below :

Vocabulary range

	VOCABULARY RANGE
C2	Has a good command of a very broad lexical repertoire including idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms; shows awareness of connotative levels of meaning.
C1	Has a good command of a broad lexical repertoire allowing gaps to be readily overcome with circumlocutions; little obvious searching for expressions or avoidance strategies. Good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
B2	Has a good range of vocabulary for matters connected to his/her field and most general topics. Can vary formulation to avoid frequent repetition, but lexical gaps can still cause hesitation and circumlocution.
B1	Has a sufficient vocabulary to express him/herself with some circumlocutions on most topics pertinent to his/her everyday life such as family, hobbies and interests, work, travel, and current events. Has sufficient vocabulary to conduct routine, everyday transactions involving familiar situations and topics.
A2	Has a sufficient vocabulary for the expression of basic communicative needs. Has a sufficient vocabulary for coping with simple survival needs.
A1	Has a basic vocabulary repertoire of isolated words and phrases related to particular concrete situations.

Vocabulary control

	VOCABULARY CONTROL
C2	Consistently correct and appropriate use of vocabulary.
C1	Occasional minor slips, but no significant vocabulary errors.
B2	Lexical accuracy is generally high, though some confusion and incorrect word choice does occur without hindering communication.
B1	Shows good control of elementary vocabulary but major errors still occur when expressing more complex thoughts or handling unfamiliar topics and situations.
A2	Can control a narrow repertoire dealing with concrete everyday needs.
A1	No descriptor available

Users of the Framework may wish to consider and where appropriate state: • which lexical elements (fixed expressions and single word forms) the learner will need/be equipped/be required to recognise and/or use; • how they are selected and ordered