Optimizing the Learning Order of Chinese Characters Using a Novel Topological Sort Algorithm

PLoS One. 2016 Oct 5;11(10):e0163623. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163623. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

We present a novel algorithm for optimizing the order in which Chinese characters are learned, one that incorporates the benefits of learning them in order of usage frequency and in order of their hierarchal structural relationships. We show that our work outperforms previously published orders and algorithms. Our algorithm is applicable to any scheduling task where nodes have intrinsic differences in importance and must be visited in topological order.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • China
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Linguistics
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual
  • Reading*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Shanghai Key Lab for Particle Physics and Cosmology (SKLPPC), Grant No. 15DZ2272100. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.