BonPatron
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| Original author(s) | Terry Nadasdi & Stéfan Sinclair |
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| Developer(s) | Nadaclair Language Technologies Inc. |
| Initial release | 2001 |
| Stable release | 2018
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| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Available in | 3 languages |
| Type | Spell checker, grammar checker |
| Website | bonpatron |
BonPatron is a French online spelling and grammar checker, developed by Nadaclair Language Technologies.[1] The site includes guides for grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, and a verb conjugator.[2]
History
[edit]BonPatron was created as an academic project in 2001 by Terry Nadasdi (University of Alberta) and Stéfan Sinclair (McGill University). BonPatron initially targeted grammatical errors typically made by anglophone learners of French. Its purpose was to see how closely a web-based grammar checker could replicate what teachers do when correcting student compositions (repeatedly indicating the same mistakes). BonPatron was initially called LePatron but changed its name in 2007 when it became a joint academic/commercial endeavour.[3]
The site was initially designed for language learners in North America, but it is now used extensively by people whose first language is French, especially in France and Quebec.
In addition to the main grammar checker, other pedagogical resources have been added over the years (e.g.: a grammar guide, a vocabulary guide and a phonetics guide).
Usage
[edit]BonPatron has two versions, one that is free and supported by ads (bonpatron.com) and the other that is subscription-based (pro.bonpatron.com). Both draw on the same error database to identify and explain errors. The main difference is that the subscription-based version accepts longer texts. Native mobile apps are available for iOS and Android, developed in partnership with Alkeo.
In order to use BonPatron, the user supplies a text (typed or pasted from the clipboard) and hits the “Check” button. After doing so, the text is examined for typical errors. Errors will be flagged and relevant feedback will be displayed. BonPatron does not provide automatic correction. Rather, it supplies information to help the learner learn from the mistake. It is in this sense that BonPatron should be viewed as an interactive pedagogical tool rather than an editor or traditional grammar checker.[4]
The BonPatron website averages 4.5 million unique visitors annually and processes an average of 250,000 texts per day.[5]
Research and evaluation
[edit]BonPatron has been reviewed and evaluated by a number of scholars. The main findings from these evaluations are: a) BonPatron is able to identify approximately 90% of errors typical of learners writing in French;[6][3] b) BonPatron stands apart from other grammar checkers because of its pedagogical design;[4][7] c) BonPatron promotes learning and its use leads to a reduced number of errors in learner texts.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Nadaclair Language Technologies – Purveyors of Fine Language Tools". nadaclair.com. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
- ^ Gillet, par Marie; À 17:22, Lundi 05 Septembre 2022. "4 correcteurs orthographiques gratuits pour éviter les fautes". CNET France (in French). Retrieved 2023-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Nadasdi, Terry; Sinclair, Stéfan (2007). "Anything I can do, CPU can do better: A comparison of human and computer grammar correction for L2 writing using BonPatron.com" (PDF).
- ^ a b Hamel, Marie-Josée (2008). "Bon Patron – Parcours pédagogique critique du logiciel". Revue canadienne de linguistique appliquée. 11 (2): 123–131.
- ^ ""BonPatron" Online Spelling and Grammar Checker for French as a Second Language". bonpatron.com. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
- ^ Burston, Jack (2008). "Bon Patron: An Online Spelling, Grammar, and Expression Checker". Calico Journal. 2 (25): 337–347.
- ^ López Santiago, Mercedes (2016). "Review of BonPatron.com". The EUROCALL Review. 24 (2).
- ^ Bensalem, Samra (2011). "Le correcteur orthographique : quel apport pour l´amélioration de la compétence orthographique?" (PDF). Synergies Algérie (12): 233–240.
- ^ Gauthier, Marie (2013). "Anglophone high school boys' engagement and achievement in editing their French writing using the BonPatronPro". Journal of Classroom Research in Literacy (6): 24–35.