Development of Readability Formula for Kannada Language

摘要

An attempt has made to develop readability formula for Kannada language in the present study using text books (2nd to 1 Oth standard) of kannada and science state syllabus in which 141 sample criterion passages were selected. The samples have been analyzed with reference to readability variables like Word length (WL), Average sentence length (ASL) and Percentage technical words (PTW). The three readability variables had positive and significant relationship with respect to grade level. The correlation values of the variables corresponding to the grade level were ASL(0.74), WL(0.46) and PTW(0.47). Hence, these variables were considered in the development of readability formula. The readability formula obtained on the basis of regression analysis reads as GL=-4.45+1.425(WL)+ 0.7262(ASL)+0.0437(PTW). Where, GL= grade level estimated, x_1 = WL, x_2=ASLand x_3= PTW. The variation in the grade level was explained to the extent of 63 per cent by these three independent variables (R2=0.63). The developed formula be used by the communicators, writers and authors to know the grade level of the writing and it could be also used as a guideline in modifying their writing to make it readable to the intended audience.